The disputed Triton Island is a part of the Paracel Islands cluster in South China Sea, which are claimed by China, as well as other neighboring countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
A US Navy destroyer, USS Stethem, on Sunday sailed within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Triton Island in the South China Sea. China has termed the exercise as “serious political and military provocation.”
Beijing dispatched military vessels and fighter planes in response to warn off the US warship, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement late Sunday night, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported.
READ: USS Dewey Sails In South China Sea Amid Territorial Dispute
This “freedom of navigation exercise” can worsen the US-China relationship as China claims the island along with almost all of the South China Sea. China has recently come up with facilities like a helicopter landing site at the island. A large Chinese flag is displayed on the island, visible from aerial and satellite photos, CNN reported.
Triton Island is a part of the Paracel Islands cluster that has been at the center of disputes in South China Sea, as these islands are claimed by China, as well as neighboring countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Apart from being a major shipping route, the area is a rich fishing ground and is believed to have abundant oil and gas reserves. While conflicts in the area have gone on for centuries, tension has steadily increased in recent years as Beijing has begun re-asserting its claims.
