US Destroyer Sails Near Disputed Pacific Island

The Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the United States to respect its sovereignty and security interests after the USA guided missile destroyer John S. McCain approached a disputed island in the South China Sea.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), which is part of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, China is inching a step closer to military dominance in the hotly contested waters as it has continued to build missile shelters on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs in the Spratly archipelago.

It was the third mission of this kind since May, when the "USS Dewey" sailed by Mischief Reef, marking a continuation of such operations under the Trump administration. China has territorial disputes with its neighbours over the area.

Philippine marines stationed in a marooned ship on a disputed shoal may have monitored the U.S. Navy operation because they are based near Mischief Reef, which is also claimed by the Philippines, the official said.

Washington is dependent on Beijing to rein in the belligerent North Korea. Chinese authorities claim 90 percent of the area and have repeatedly said that the country's activities in the region are China's sovereign right.

Two other US Navy ships approached China-claimed islands in the South China Sea in July and May. The previous approach took place less than a month ago, when the USA destroyer Stethem sailed close to the disputed islands. Sailing within those 12 miles is meant to show that the United States does not recognize territorial claims there. Beijing called the move a "serious political and military provocation".

The Trump administration has vowed to conduct more robust South China Sea operations.

Experts and officials have criticised President Barack Obama for potentially reinforcing China's claims by sticking to innocent passage, in which a warship effectively recognised a territorial sea by crossing it speedily without stopping.

In the latest sail-by, US military officials notified Philippine counterparts of the maneuver, a Philippine official said, adding Filipino forces were not involved.

They sought compliance with an arbitration ruling a year ago that invalidated China's claims in the South China Sea.

Tensions have risen recently after North Korea carried out two nuclear tests past year and two ICBM tests last month, prompting a strong round of UN sanctions which angered Pyongyang who threatened to teach the United States a "severe lesson". Fueling such fears, Trump this week threatened Pyongyang with "fire and fury", while media reports said the Pentagon has worked out an operation to bomb North Korea's nuclear sites.