BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Navy on Tuesday said it had tracked and monitored a U.S. littoral combat ship near Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao after the vessel illegally intruded into the waters without approval from the Chinese government.
The U.S. vessel, the USS Charleston, illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao in the South China Sea in the early hours of Tuesday, Yin Gang, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy, said in a statement.
The PLA Southern Theater Command Navy dispatched forces to track and monitor the U.S. vessel in accordance with laws and regulations, said the spokesperson.
Noting that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, Yin said the U.S. action infringes upon China's sovereign rights and interests, jeopardizes maritime security, and is detrimental to regional peace and stability.
"The U.S. side should immediately cease such activities," said the spokesperson.
Forces of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert to safeguard national sovereignty and security and uphold regional peace and stability, Yin added. ■
