{"id":26980,"date":"2020-08-28T17:07:32","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T17:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/08\/28\/us-navy-sends-warship-near-disputed-islands-a-day-after-chinas-carrier-killer-missile-test\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:53:04","slug":"us-navy-sends-warship-near-disputed-islands-a-day-after-chinas-carrier-killer-missile-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/08\/28\/us-navy-sends-warship-near-disputed-islands-a-day-after-chinas-carrier-killer-missile-test\/","title":{"rendered":"US Navy sends warship near disputed islands a day after China\u2019s \u2019carrier killer\u2019 missile test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. Navy sent a warship steaming near disputed islands in the South China Sea Thursday, a day after Beijing reportedly tested so-called \u201ccarrier killer\u201d missiles<\/a> in the same area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The guided-missile destroyer Mustin \u201casserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law,\u201d U.S. 7th Fleet<\/a> spokeswoman Cmdr. Reann Mommsen said in a statement. \u201cThis freedom of navigation operation (\u2018FONOP\u2019<\/a>) upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam and also by challenging China\u2019s claim to straight baselines enclosing the Paracel Islands<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Paracels are a collection of 130 islands and reefs, surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potential natural resource reserves, that are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such FONOPs are regularly conducted by the Navy to challenge territorial claims there and elsewhere in the South China Sea, which includes some of the world\u2019s busiest trade routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China has in recent years expanded its military presence on the islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Wednesday test firing of China\u2019s DF-26B and DF-21D \u201ccarrier killer\u201d ballistic missiles took place near the Paracels, the South China Morning Post<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report in the Hong Kong-based newspaper cited unidentified sources close to the Chinese military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test firing comes after the Trump administration announced this year that it would reject nearly all of Beijing\u2019s maritime claims in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement<\/a> Thursday, the Pentagon condemned China\u2019s recent military exercises around the Paracels, \u201cincluding the firing of ballistic missiles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConducting military exercises over disputed territory in the South China Sea is counterproductive to easing tensions and maintaining stability,\u201d the Pentagon said. \u201cThe (People\u2019s Republic of China\u2019s) actions, including missile tests, further destabilize the situation in the South China Sea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WATERS NEAR THE PARACEL ISLANDS – BM3 Reshawn Wallace, from Brooklyn, N.Y., mans the helm on the bridge as the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) conducts routine operations. @USNavy<\/a> photo by MC3 Cody Beam #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific<\/a> @USPacificFleet<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/wbQaCRyJQl<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qvAXjHjiRk<\/a><\/p>— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) August 27, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>