China condemns U.S. for South China Sea freedom of navigation operation

BEIJING (Reuters) - China expressed anger on Tuesday after a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea, saying it was resolutely opposed to an operation that it called a threat to its sovereignty.

China’s Defence Ministry said a Chinese naval ship had been sent to warn the U.S. vessel to leave.

The Foreign Ministry in Beijing said in a separate statement it strongly urged the United States to stop such “provocative” actions.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Paul Tait)

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