The U.S. sent two warships close by islands claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, the U.S. Navy¡¯s 7th Fleet said, as American negotiators arrived in the Chinese capital for talks aimed at resolving a trade spat between the two powers.
A spokesman for the 7th Fleet told The Japan Times that the guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance and USS Preble had ¡°conducted freedom of navigation operations (FONOPS) in the South China Sea,¡± with the two vessels sailing ¡°within 12 nautical miles¡± (22 km) of the Spratly Islands.
The mission was conducted ¡°in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law,¡± 7th Fleet spokesperson Lt. Joe Keiley said.
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