Over the waters of the South China Sea, which China and the Philippines dispute territorial rights, the Chinese military has issued a statement accusing 'U.S. military vessels of illegally invading without the approval of the Chinese government.'
On the other hand, the U.S. Navy continues to control each other, saying that it is a normal operation in international waters.
A spokesman for the Southern Theater of the Chinese Armed Forces, which has jurisdiction over the South China Sea, released a statement on the 4th, claiming that "the US littoral combat ship 'Gabriel Giffords' illegally invaded without the approval of the Chinese government" around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which China and the Philippines dispute.
He also accused the United States of "disrupting the South China Sea, violating China's sovereignty and security, and seriously undermining regional peace and stability."
In response, a spokesperson for the US Navy's 7th Fleet told NHK, "'Gabriel Giffords' was conducting normal operations in international waters in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.
"We will work with our allies and friends to realize our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume defense ministers' meetings at their November summit, but the U.S. and China continue to struggle with each other over the South China Sea.