U.S. Ship Sails Near Disputed South China Sea Islands in Challenge to Beijing
USS McCampbell patrol was meant to challenge excessive maritime claims by Beijing, U.S. Navy says
WASHINGTON—A U.S. guided-missile destroyer patrolled near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Monday, challenging Beijing’s maritime claims there, U.S. military officials said.
The USS McCampbell conducted what the military calls a freedom of navigation operation in the Paracel Islands chain, sailing within 12 nautical miles of three islands: Tree, Lincoln and Woody, according to a Navy official.
The...