A guided missile destroyer has been sent by the Trump administration in the South China Sea, near Triton Island. This move has been made days before the United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet the Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G-20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.
According to Bloomberg, the USS Stethem, a guided missile destroyer was sent by the United States Navy in the South China Sea, near the Triton Island on Sunday. Officials have also said that the destroyer is within 22 kilometers of the Triton Island.
It must be mentioned here that this operation is a second, under President Trump's administration. The first was conducted in May, when the USS Dewey, another missile destroyer, guided by the Navy got extremely close to another disputed archipelago, the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. However, the U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesperson has denied commenting on the operation and stated that all the operations that the United States conducts are in accordance with international law.
The report further states that China has strongly criticized the move made by the United States. Lu Kang, a foreign ministry spokesperson has said in a statement that the United States' move is nothing less than "trespassing" and provocative as it kind of threatens China's security. And, China will take all the steps necessary to protect the sovereignty of the country.
Moreover, it must be added that the president of the United States and China are scheduled to attend the G-20 Summit, along with other world leaders. The event will be held in Hamburg, Germany, from July 7.
Notably, the Triton Island is one small island, which is also a part of the Paracel Islands and lies in the water between Philippines and Vietnam. Moreover, Vietnam, Taiwan as well as China lays claim on this small Island.
