China Military threatens USA War in South China Sea- Breaking News
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China naval chief says minor incident could spark war in South China Sea
BEIJING/WASHINGTON
(Reuters) - China's naval commander told his U.S. counterpart that a
minor incident could spark war in the South China Sea if the United
States did not stop its "provocative acts" in the disputed waterway, the
Chinese navy said on Friday.
Admiral Wu Shengli made the comments to U.S. chief of
naval operations Admiral John Richardson during a video teleconference
on Thursday, according to a Chinese naval statement.
The two officers held talks after a U.S. warship sailed
within 12 nautical miles of one of Beijing's man-made islands in the
contested Spratly archipelago on Tuesday.
China has rebuked Washington over the patrol, the most
significant U.S. challenge yet to territorial limits China effectively
claims around its seven artificial islands in one of the world's busiest
sea lanes.
"If
the United States continues with these kinds of dangerous, provocative
acts, there could well be a seriously pressing situation between
frontline forces from both sides on the sea and in the air, or even a
minor incident that sparks war," the statement paraphrased Wu as saying.
"(I) hope the
U.S. side cherishes the good situation between the Chinese and U.S.
navies that has not come easily and avoids these kinds of incidents from
happening again," Wu said.
Speaking earlier, a U.S. official said the naval chiefs
agreed to maintain dialogue and follow protocols to avoid clashes.
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