China accuses USS Barry of incursion into territorial waters
In the latest instance of Sino-US maritime tensions, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has accused the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry of trespassing into Chinese territorial waters.
According to a statement from the MND, the incursion occurred on 28 April near the Xisha Islands (also known as the Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea, prompting the Southern Theatre Command of the PLA to deploy air and naval assets to the area.
PLA forces were tasked with tracking, identifying, verifying and warning the USN vessel.
USS Barry is part of the US Pacific Fleet’s America Expeditionary Strike Group, which held live-fire training exercises in the South China Sea between 13-18 April alongside counterparts from the RAN.
China claims sovereignty over the Paracels, although this is disputed by Vietnam and Taiwan. USN vessels often sail near the islands.
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