A U.S. Defense official said it is likely the U.S. Navy will make more patrols near islands claimed by China and other countries in the South China Sea.
Speaking with VOA Tuesday, the official, who did not want to be identified, said, “This is not going to be the last one.”
He added there were several Chinese vessels operating in the vicinity of the USS Lassen, with one of the vessels clearly “shadowing it” as it passed within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of a small reef that China has been expanding into a larger island through large-scale dredging operations.
“All maneuvers by Chinese vessels and aircraft were safe and professional,” according to the official.
Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/us-sends-ship-near-chinese-artificial-islands/3024390.html
China, South China Sea Dispute, USA, Spratlys, Artificial Islands, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, Military Conflict, Militarization, ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Freedom of Navigation