China accuses U.S. ship of entering waters near Sabina Shoal

China accused a U.S. Navy ship of entering waters near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands without Beijing’s approval.

The Chinese Navy said it sent forces to track and monitor the USS Charleston, a littoral combat ship.

China and the Philippines both claim sovereignty over Sabina Shoal and the wider Spratly Islands.

The Philippines has a mutual defence treaty with the United States, giving the maritime dispute wider security significance.

China said the ship’s presence infringed its sovereign rights and harmed regional peace and maritime security.

The U.S. Navy had not immediately commented, and the ship’s mission and how long it would remain in the area were not clear.