A U.S. Navy
warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by
China, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, the first such challenge to Beijing
under U.S.
President Donald Trump.
The
officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the USS Dewey was traveling
close to the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, among a string islets, reefs
and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors.
The
so-called "freedom of navigation operation" comes at a time when
Trump is seeking China's cooperation to rein in ally North Korea's nuclear and
missile programs.
The move,
the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to
limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, is likely to anger China.
Under the
previous administration, the U.S. Navy conducted such voyages through the South
China Sea. The last such operation was carried out in October, approved by
then-President Barack Obama.
China's
extensive claims to the South China Sea, which sees about $5 trillion in
ship-borne trade pass every year, are challenged by Brunei, Malaysia, the
Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as Taiwan.
REUTERS
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