WASHINGTON \u2014 Two US B-52 bombers flew close to disputed islands in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing and were given verbal warnings from a Chinese air traffic controller, the Pentagon said Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is just the latest challenge from Washington to Beijing over the fate of the Spratly Islands, after the guided missile destroyer the USS Lassen last month sailed past a series of islets in Subi Reef in the Spratly chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also comes ahead of a visit to Asia next week by President Barack Obama that will see territorial disputes at the fore of discussions with regional leaders, several of whom have claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“On a flight that took off and returned to Guam on November 8 and 9 respectively, two B-52s flying a routine mission in international airspace in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea received two verbal warnings from a Chinese ground controller despite never venturing within 15 nautical miles of any feature,” said Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Both aircraft continued their mission without incident, and at all times operated fully in accordance with international law.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Washington has said that China’s transformation of geographical features in the Spratlys into artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities poses a threat to freedom of navigation in the critical area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it protects such freedoms, while claiming sovereignty over almost the whole of the South China Sea, even areas close to the coasts of other states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to reporters Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing opposes “the action of undermining China’s sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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