U.S. Destroyer Performs South China Sea FONOP; China Says it Expelled Warship

USS Benfold (DDG-65) sailing past the Paracel Islands on July 13, 2022. PLA Photo

A U.S. guided-missile destroyer passed near a South China Sea island chain claimed by China as part of a Freedom of Navigation operation and drew complaints from Beijing.

USS Benfold (DDG-65) sailed near the Paracel Islands early Wednesday local time in a FONOP and was monitored by the People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate Xianning (500), according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

“This freedom of navigation...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/13/u-s-destroyer-performs-south-china-sea-fonop-china-says-it-expelled-warship

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