Several Chinese warships are still scheduled to visit the USA naval station in Mayport, Florida next month.
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Washington infuriated Beijing on Tuesday when it sent its USS Lassen destroyer within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands in a challenge to China’s claims in the South China Sea.
“We would urge the USA not to continue down the wrong path. But if the USA side does continue, we will take all necessary measures according to the need”, Yang said.
China stressed its territorial claim over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, Shisha (Paracel) Islands, Chungsha (Macclesfield Bank) Islands and Tungsha (Pratas) Islands, as well as their surrounding waters.
Jatras goes on to say that the United States needs to take a step back and “look realistically about where its interests are directly involved” rather than projecting its power globally which often ends up serving the interest of others.
“I would expect that this becomes a regular operation”, the official said. “This type of operation shouldn’t be seen as provocative”.
Washington’s action is a unsafe escalation of already worrisome tensions in the South China Sea.
“It would be more effective to demonstrate broader worldwide concerns if Australia were to assert freedom of navigation under its own political and operational banner and not to ride United States coat-tails”, he said.
“There are no territorial limits”.
While by far the most aggressive column in English-language Chinese media, Xinhua is not alone in condemning the Lassen’s presence in global waters.
Two other U.S. officials said there was bridge-to-bridge radio communication with the Chinese.
About 30 percent of world trade, valued at $7 trillion, is shipped through the South China Sea. Six different countries – China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines – claim territory there.
Philippines citizens staged a “sail-in” at the Spratlys last March to protest against Chinese occupation of shoals claimed by Manila.
The move prompted Beijing to summon the American ambassador and denounce what it called “coercive actions that seeks to militarise” the disputed waters.
Five out of seven of US’s treaty alliances are in the Pacific region.
Meanwhile the White House reiterated that its military operation in South China is in accordance with worldwide law. Yang gave no details of China’s claims.
A US Embassy spokesperson declined to comment.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that sunken reefs, artificial islands and facilities off shore are not entitled to the 12-mile territorial waters. Earlier this year he said China was using dredges and bulldozers to create a “great wall of sand” in the South China Sea.
The official said the USS Lassen had been followed for weeks by Chinese vessels before the patrol.
China takes the reclamation as natural extensions of insular features. One of the released pictures showed three warships sailing in the sea.
The Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said that HMAS Stuart and HYMAS Arunta will visit main South China sea base of Zhanjiang before the drills are conducted.
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The Royal Australian Navy is the only Western defence force to carry out “live firing” exercises with the Chinese Navy, and first did so back in 2011.
