South China Sea row breaks out as Beijing ORDERS US Navy ship to leave ‘immediately’ CHINA has ordered a US Navy warship to leave the South China Sea "immediately" after a destroyer entered the waters around the Paracel Islands. By BILL MCLOUGHLIN PUBLISHED: 19:03, Fri, Oct 9, 2020 | UPDATED: 21:12, Fri, Oct 9, 2020

 

Due to its One-China policy, Beijing has laid claim to several islands chains in the South China Sea. On Friday, the Chinese Defence Ministry claimed the USS John McCain had entered into the waters around the disputed islands, without the government's permission. After detecting the US naval ship, the Chinese military quickly ordered the vessel to leave, before sending forces to conduct tracking procedures.

Senior Colonel Zhang Nandong also called on the US to stop violating China’s sovereignty in the region.

He said: “We demand the US immediately stop such provocative actions, and strictly control and restrict military operations in the sea and air.”

The military official also stated China would continue to take necessary measures to protect the regional stability of the South China Sea.

China has accused the US of trying to increase its presence in the region by sending navy ships to conduct freedom of navigation operations.

China order US ship to leave (Image: PA)

South China Sea: US ships have entered the region (Image: PA)

Due to China’s colossal navy, Beijing has been able to put pressure on neighbouring states such as the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam to claim the islands it sees as its own.

In response, Washington has attempted to take a tough stance with Beijing.

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo has persistently warned of Xi Jinping’s growing naval empire.

He has previously stated: “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.