US Navy says ‘USS Milius’ conducts navigational rights, freedoms mission in South China Sea near Spratly Islands

The US Navy said that its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a navigational rights and freedoms mission in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Monday. It said the operation by the destroyer was consistent with international law. The Navy said, at the conclusion of the operation, USS Milius exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea.

The announcement came as China’s military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan in military drills around the island amid growing tensions between China and the US Navy statement said, this freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea. In response, the Southern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said in a statement that the Chinese military followed and monitored US destroyer USS Milius’s movements in the Spratly Islands.