US Threatens Further Naval Incursions Despite Furious Reaction From China

The US has threatened further naval incursions into waters claimed by China after naval manoeuvres near two artificial islands in the South China Sea prompted an angry rebuke from Beijing.
China summoned the US ambassador to Beijing in protest and accused the US of a “serious provocation” following US naval manoeuvres during which the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen sailed close to a Chinese artificial island.

But US defense secretary Ash Carter warned on Tuesday that naval operations in the area would continue. “We will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits,” said Carter, during a congressional hearing in which lawmakers claimed the US risked losing credibility with its allies in the region if it did not act.
“There have been naval operations in that region in recent days and there will be more in the weeks and months to come,” he said.
The US navy began its mission through waters near the island at about 6.40am local time on Tuesday.
Carter confirmed that the USS Lassen traveled within 12 nautical miles (22.2km, or 13.8 miles) of the disputed Spratly archipelago, which is at the heart of a controversial Chinese island building campaign that has soured ties between Washington and Beijing. Chinese officials were not informed of Tuesday’s mission, US officials said.
The direct military challenge to Beijing’s territorial claims prompted a furious reaction in Beijing.
State television reported that the Chinese vice-foreign minister, Zhang Yesui, had branded the move “extremely irresponsible” when meeting with the US ambassador to China, Max Baucus.
Addressing journalists in Beijing, Lu Kang, a foreign ministry spokesman, said China was strongly dissatisfied with America’s actions, which he described as a threat to China’s sovereignty.
But he refused to be drawn on whether China would consider a military response. “I will not answer hypothetical questions,” Lu said. “We hope that the US side will not take actions that will backfire.”
Lu warned that further “provocative actions” might lead to accelerated Chinese construction in the South China Sea: “It would be a pity for us to realise that we have to strengthen and speed up relevant construction activities.”
The Chinese embassy in Washington said the concept of “freedom of navigation” should not be used as an excuse for muscle-flexing and the US should “refrain from saying or doing anything provocative and act responsibly in maintaining regional peace and stability”.
the guardian