The Chinese military, a few hours ago, said it had monitored and removed a US destroyer that had illegally entered the waters around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
In a statement, the military said that without government approval, the destroyer Milius it has smuggled into China's territorial waters, undermining the peace and stability of the busy waterway.
"Theater forces will always maintain a high state of alert and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, peace and stability in the South China Sea."said Tian Junli, spokesman for China's Southern Military Command.
Tension between the United States and China has grown in the area, as the Americans have strengthened alliances in the Asia-Pacific to try to counter Chinese dominance in the Taiwan Strait.
The USS Milius is an Aegis-class guided-missile destroyer Arleigh Burke of the United States Navy. She is the first U.S. Navy ship named after a POW/MIA from the Vietnam War. She is named after Captain Paul L. Milius.