The Chinese military on Friday monitored and warned off U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Milius after it again trespassed into Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, said Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China’s Defense Ministry.
Tan’s remarks came one day after Senior Colonel Tian Junli, the spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, blasted a similar move by the U.S. destroyer on Thursday.
Tan said the U.S. has seriously infringed China’s national sovereignty and security, adding that, “We solemnly demand the U.S. side to immediately stop such provocative actions; otherwise it will bear the serious consequences of all possible contingencies.”
The PLA will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and the peace and stability of the region, said the Defense Ministry spokesperson.