U.S. denies China's claim that U.S. cruiser intruded into Chinese waters

"China's statement about this mission is false," the official statement from the American side says.

The United States clarified that the cruiser was conducting an operation "to ensure freedom of navigation" and continued to operate in waters where the principle of freedom of the high seas operates, in accordance with international law.

Earlier, the TASS agency, citing the official representative of the Southern Zone of the PLA Combat Command, Tian Junli, reported that the missile cruiser Chancellorsville had invaded the waters adjacent to the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

On August 28, Reuters reported the passage of two U.S. Navy ships, Chancellorsville and Antietam, through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since tensions between the United States and China rose over the visit of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.