China warns US: China will not allow violations of territorial waters

China will protect its borders

Following the statement from a U.S. defense official on a plan to sail their warships nearer China's artificial land over territorial waters, China said that they won't allow any violation in the name of the freedom of navigation. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - A U.S. defense official told Reuters the United States was thinking about sending ships through the island chain Spratly. U.S. officials believe the action could happen within a few days but nothing will commence without Pres. Barack Obama's decision. 

A Chinese spokesperson responded to the news on Friday, warning the U.S. that China won't allow any territorial violations.

"We will never allow any country to violate China's territorial waters and airspace in the Spratly Islands, in the name of protecting freedom of navigation and overflight," said Hua Chunying, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. She added, "We urge the related parties not to take any provocative actions, and genuinely take a responsible stance on regional peace and stability." 

Despite the warning, the U.S. had already showed they don't recognize China's sovereignty over the islands, despite unsettled territorial disputes.

China has been claiming most of the South China Sea, where other nations - The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan - have overlapping territorial claims. U.S. Navy is firm that they would continue sailing and hold their operations in the zones allowed through the international laws.

Admiral Harry Harris, U.S. forces commander for the Pacific, said that he would not discuss any of the plan. He did, however, make clear that he suggested the plan to the president.  Admiral Harris said the U.S. must carry out the freedom of navigation patrols in the Asia-Pacific region. 

"I simply won't discuss future operations. With regards to whether we are going to sail within 12 miles, or fly within 12 miles, of any of the reclaimed islands that China has built in the South China Sea, I will reserve that for later," he said during a Washington seminar. 

Last month, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear told the Senate Armed Service Committee that there are no U.S. patrols within 12-miles from the Chinese claimed reefs since 2012. However, China issued 8 warnings toward the crew of a U.S. P8-A Poseidon last May for allegedly flying near the islands. The incident was reported by CNN, whose staff was aboard the aircraft.

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