Tension as US warship sails by China's disputed islands

Beijing warns Washington not to repeat 'illegal provocation'

US warships
(Image credit: John J. Mike/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

A US Navy ship has sailed close to artificial islands built by China in disputed waters, US defence officials have said.

In a move that is bound to inflame tensions between the two superpowers, the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached the 12-nautical mile zone China claims around Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago.

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