San Diego Destroyer Conducts 'Freedom Of Navigation' Mission Near Islands Claimed By China

San Diego CA

17 February, 2021

4:09 PM

Description

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego February 17, 2021 The San Diego-based guided-missile destroyer USS Russell on Wednesday conducted a tense "freedom of navigation" mission in the disputed Spratly Islands area of the South China sea. The Navy said the mission was conducted because "unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the sea." "The ships of all States –- including their warships –- enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea," the Navy added in its statement. China has been fortifying tiny islets throughout the region and claiming the area. The Russell deployed from Naval Base San Diego with the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in December. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.