U.S. Navy inflames Beijing after moving warship through South China Sea

By sailing a warship close to islands that China claims, the U.S. Navy increased tensions in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

It was there during a patrol to reinforce freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.

The USS Benfold, a ship in the 7th Fleet, reportedly carried out the "freedom of navigation" patrol close to the Paracel Islands, which Beijing claims as its own.

On April 9, 2017, the USS Wayne E. Meyer may be spotted in the South China Sea.

On Wednesday, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group of the Navy started its maiden sea operations for 2022.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said that the action was "creating difficulties and disrupting relations" by the U.S. military.

On Wednesday, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group of the Navy started its maiden operations in the South China Sea in 2022.

As we conduct operations in this area in compliance with international law to ensure that all nations may do the same, every sailor on board contributes to this significant and enduring duty.

Similar tensions between the United States and Beijing have recently been caused by a number of maritime incidents.

Early this year, as the same warship, the USS Benfold, once more went by the Paracel Islands, China issued a warning of "severe repercussions."