Beijing did not take action against the transit of a US warship within 12 nautical miles of a disputed reef claimed by China in the South China Sea because it intends to remain vague about its legal position, says Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet.
On Tuesday morning, the USS Lassen passed within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef in the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, with US officials confirming that the vessel would have would have been in an area considered Chinese sovereign territory if the US recognized the island as belonging to China.
The Chinese foreign ministry, Chinese embassy in Beijing, People’s Liberation Army Navy and official Xinhua news agency all condemned the move, calling it “illegal” and saying that it “threatened China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
Read more: http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news/content?id=20151029000070&cid=1101