China pledges more maritime patrols after US warship’s ‘provocation’

China’s ministry of defense said on Monday that the country’s armed forces will strengthen maritime patrols after a US destroyer sailed into Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, China dispatched two missile destroyers, one minesweeper and two J-11B jet fighters to identify and warn off USS Stethem after it approached the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.

In a statement, defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian accused the US of provocation and said extra patrols would help safeguard China's sovereignty and regional security.

(CGTN)