U.S. commanders have sent a warship into waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea. The vessel sailed within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands built by China.
American and Japanese diplomatic sources say a U.S. Navy destroyer entered waters near the man-made islands in the disputed Spratly chain. The Spratlys are claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. International law says nations can declare up to 12 nautical miles from their coast as sovereign territory, but that does not apply to areas around artificial islands.
The decision to send the USS Lassen inside the zone indicates U.S. commanders are challenging China's claims over the territory. Officials in Washington have not officially confirmed they sent a ship, but they've stressed their commitment to freedom of navigation. It was the first time a U.S. military vessel entered the 12-mile zone in three years. U.S. commanders had been refraining from such operations, apparently over concerns about raising tensions with Beijing.
◆commander 司令官、指揮官
◆warship 軍艦
◆vessel （大型）船
◆nautical miles 海里
◆destroyer 駆逐艦
◆disputed 紛争の対象となっている
◆Spratly chain 南沙諸島 [the]
◆commitment 決意、強い意思
◆navigation 航行
