US Navy warned against provocative acts

China urged the United States Navy to cease provocative and risky actions in the South China Sea, and promised to take every measure necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and security.

The USS Gabrielle Giffords littoral combat ship sailed within 12 nautical miles of Meiji Reef near the Nansha Islands on Wednesday, and the USS Wayne E. Meyer guided-missile destroyer sailed into territorial waters of the Xisha Islands on Thursday, the US Navy said.

These maneuvers were all conducted without permission from China, Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Friday. "The US' actions have seriously undermined China's sovereignty and security interests and damaged peace and stability in the South China Sea. China strongly opposes such actions and has lodged stern representations with the US," Geng said.