China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) confirmed Friday it tracked and expelled the USS Halsey, a US guided-missile destroyer, after the vessel allegedly entered waters near the Xisha Islands without permission. The incident highlights rising military friction in the contested region 🌊.
Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said naval and air forces were deployed to 'track, monitor, and warn away' the destroyer. The Xisha Islands, known internationally as the Paracels, are administered by China but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
⚡️ Why it matters: The South China Sea sees frequent military maneuvers, with the US conducting 'freedom of navigation' operations while China asserts its territorial claims. Analysts say these incidents could test regional stability as global powers vie for influence.
