U.S. war ship nears Chinese island in first navigation challenge under Trump: report
© Getty Images
BY MAX GREENWOOD -
05/24/17 10:58 PM EDT
A United States Navy war ship neared an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea on Wednesday in the first U.S. freedom of navigation operation under the Trump administration, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The maneuver was conducted near Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, which are the subjects of territorial disputes between China and other countries in the region. The freedom of navigation operation is a signal intended by the U.S. to assert its intention to keep critical sea lanes open, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The patrol on Wednesday came within 12 nautical miles of the island, meaning that it is considered a challenge to China's claim under international law.
The last such operation was conducted under the Obama administration in October.
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/335068-us-war-ship-nears-chinese-island-in-first-navigation-challenge-under-trump