“China will take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignity”
Lu Kang
The two superpowers have clashed several times over disputed territory in the South China Sea, which the PLA believe belongs to them.
But the US appears to have sided with Taiwan, a country China is hostile to, and has sent military forces to the area.
In their latest move, a USS Hopper missile destroyer sailed with 12 nautical miles Huangyan Dao, an island claimed by China.
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The destroyer was intercepted by a furious Chinese navy, accusing it of violating security interests and posing a great threat to their forces.
President Xi Jinping has now issued a shock warning to the US, telling them to get out of what he believes is their territory.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang threatened the US with retaliation and warned them against further “provocative moves” for the sake of “peace and stability”.
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He added: “China is strongly dissatisfied with that and will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty.”
China believes it has control over the territory in the South China Sea, which as brought them into contact with Taiwan and the Philippines.
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In a shock move, a Chinese diplomat threatened the US with a full-scale invasion of Taiwan if they did not back off.
But Washington has pledged to ensure freedom in the South China Sea, contrary to China's claims.