PLA spokesman denounces US' trespass in waters of Xisha Islands

The Chinese military on Friday denounced US actions after a US missile destroyer was found trespassing in Chinese territorial waters.

PLA Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesman for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said in a statement the US guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain trespassed into the waters of China's Xisha Islands on Friday without the permission of the Chinese government.

The Southern Theater Command organized its naval and air forces to track and monitor the warship and warned if off, Tian said.

Tian pointed out the US move is its old trick to claim navigational hegemony and mislead public opinion, which has seriously infringed on China's sovereignty and security, gravely undermined regional peace and stability and deliberately disrupted the good atmosphere of peace, friendship and cooperation in the South China Sea.

Tian stressed China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters. The troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command will always stay on high alert to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as peace and stability in the region.