U.S.' illegal intrusion into waters near Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao detrimental to regional peace, stability: PLA Navy spokesperson

(ECNS) -- A U.S. littoral combat ship's illegal intrusion into waters near Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao infringes upon China's sovereign rights and interests, jeopardizes maritime security, and is detrimental to regional peace and stability, said the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Navy on Tuesday.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the U.S. vessel, the USS Charleston, illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao without approval from the Chinese government, Yin Gang, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy, said in a statement.

The PLA Southern Theater Command Navy dispatched forces to track and monitor the U.S. vessel in accordance with laws and regulations, said the spokesperson.

China holds indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, and the U.S. side should immediately cease such activities, Yin stressed.

Forces of the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert to safeguard national sovereignty and security and uphold regional peace and stability, Yin added.