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China Protested U.S. Naval Warship Entering Areas Close to Spratly Islands

Xinhua recently reported that Yang Yujun, the spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, held a press conference in which he stated that the USS William P. Lawrence guided missile destroyer entered an area near the Spratly Islands in South China Sea. This once again became proof of the necessity for China to continue its defensive construction on the islands. China considered the USS Lawrence’s entry without permission a serious provocation. The Chinese Navy responded by sending two J-11 fighter jets, one Y-8 patrolling aircraft, the Guangzhou missile destroyer, the Mianyang missile frigate, and the Linfen frigate to identify, warn, and expel the U.S. warship. Yang confirmed that China will strengthen its military presence in the region to defend China’s sovereignty.
Source: Xinhua, May 10, 2016
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2016-05/10/c_1118841916.htm