Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The United States (US) may soon deploy war ships near China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea.
It wants to send a message that it does not recognize China’s territorial claims over the area.
This is according to a Financial Times report quoting a senior U.S. official who said its ships will sail within 12-nautical-mile zones that China claims as its territory around the Spratly Islands within the next two weeks.
The anonymous official said they’re waiting for the approval of President Barack Obama before taking action.
The United States considers the areas around Spratly Islands to be part of international water space, while China claims they’re within its waters.