U.S. Warships Challenge China Sea Claims for Third Time in 2019
- Destroys sail pass Gavin, Johnson reefs in disputed Spratlys
- Operation comes amid simmering trade tensions with Beijing
USS Chung-Hoon and USS Howard in Puerto Princesa on the western Philippine island of Palawan.
Photographer: Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images
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Two U.S. warships sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea on Monday, challenging Beijing’s claims for the third time this year amid simmering trade tensions.
The guided-missile destroyers USS Preble and USS Chung-Hoon passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs, said Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet. The China-occupied features are part of the Spratly chain, which are also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.