US navy ship once again sails near disputed South China Sea islands

The US navy says one of its destroyers has sailed near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the second such provocative move in the strategic waterway in a week.

"On July 16, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law," the US navy said in a statement on Saturday.

The United States regularly carries out what it claims to be freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, challenging restrictions on naval passage imposed by China and other claimants.

Beijing has repeatedly asserted that it does not impede freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and says the United States is deliberately provoking tensions there.

China's military said on Wednesday that it had "driven away" the same ship, the USS Benfold, when it sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said the guided-missile destroyer had illegally entered Chinese territorial waters, adding that the move seriously violated China's sovereignty and security.

It also stressed that Chinese naval and air forces had tracked the ship and warned it to leave the vicinity of the disputed islands.

• China warns away US warship near disputed isles in South China Sea

The US Navy rejected the accusations, claiming that the Benfold had "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law."

China claims the South China Sea in its entirety. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have overlapping claims to parts of the waters. The United States, however, sides with Beijing’s rival claimants in the dispute.

Washington routinely sends warships and warplanes to the South China Sea to assert what it terms its “right” to “freedom of navigation.”

China has always warned the US against military activities in the sea. Beijing says potential close military encounters between the air and naval forces of the two countries in the region may cause accidents.

US okays possible sale of military assistance to Taipei

The Pentagon said on Friday that the US State Department had approved the potential sale of military technical assistance to Taiwan worth an estimated $108 million.

The assistance, as the Pentagon said, includes spare and repair parts for tanks and combat vehicles, in addition to the US government and contractor technical and logistical support.

"The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient's vehicles, small arms, combat weapon systems, and logistical support items, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement, adding that it would enhance Taipei's military interoperability with the United States and other allies.

The State Department notification failed to clarify whether a contract had been signed, however, the self-ruled island’s defense ministry said the deal was expected to "become effective" within a month.

• China calls on US to revoke new arms sales to Taiwan, including ship parts

Under the “One China” policy, almost all world countries recognize China's sovereignty over Taipei. The US, too, recognizes the principle but has long courted Taiwan in an attempt to unnerve Beijing. 

The US, which backs Taipei’s secessionist president, also continues to sell weapons to the island in violation of its own stated policy.

Since the beginning of this year, the United States has approved the sale of up to $95 million worth of training and equipment to support Taipei's Patriot missile system, according to Pentagon.

The first major arms sale to Taipei under President Joe Biden happened last August, which saw the approval of 40 Howitzer artillery systems.

Last year, the US sold arms to Taiwan that included drones and coastal missile defenses aimed at upgrading the island’s capabilities against mainland China.

China, in response, has been stepping up its defensive activities near Taipei to assert its sovereignty claims and oppose US military moves.

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