The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed "strong discontentment" and "resolute opposition" over a U.S. warship patrol near Zhubi Reef of China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday.
The United States' actions threaten China's sovereignty and security interests, endanger the safety of personnel and facilities in the reef, and harm regional peace and stability, ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement.
Lu urged the U.S. side to "immediately correct its wrongdoing."
Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. warship USS Lassen illegally entered waters near Zhubi Reef of China's Nansha Islands in the South China Sea without permission of the Chinese government, said Lu.
