Tian Junli, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Combat Command’s Southern Zone, reported an illegal entry into Chinese territorial waters and the passage of an American Arleigh Burke-class Milius missile destroyer near the Meiji Reef. This was announced today, April 10, TASS reports with reference to the Central Television of the People’s Republic of China.
“On April 10, the Milius missile destroyer illegally entered the waters adjacent to the Meiji reef off the Chinese Nansha Islands without obtaining the approval of the Chinese government. [на транзит]», – said the Chinese military.
According to him, the southern zone of the combat command organized the observation of the destroyer by the forces of the naval and air forces.
“China has undeniable sovereignty over the islands of the South China Sea and adjacent waters. And troops [Южной] combat command zones are always on high alert, Tian Junli noted.
The American destroyer was discovered by the PLA amid tensions around the island of Taiwan. The PLA Eastern Combat Command Zone previously announced that China was conducting exercises on April 8-10 in the Taiwan Strait, as well as in the waters north, south and east of the island. They pass under the name “United Sharp Sword”. In parallel, patrols around Taiwan are planned.
