China warns US after American warship sails near disputed territory in South China Sea

China on Monday asked the United States to stop “provocative actions”, a day after an American warship sailed near the Scarborough Shoal, which is a disputed territory in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing, Reuters reported. The actions of US destroyer Preble may lead to an escalation in tensions between the two countries at a time when they are embroiled in a trade war.

“Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law,” Commander Clay Doss, the spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, told the news agency.

This is the second time in a month that the United States military has conducted an operation in the South China Sea. On May 15, the US Navy chief Admiral John Richardson had said the American military’s “freedom of navigation” exercises in the the South China Sea were attracting more interest than required.