It followed a "free of navigation operation" by a US destroyer near Chinese-controlled Triton island in the South China Sea that Beijing also strenuously objected to. The US and others are also wary of possible Chinese plans to establish an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea similar to one it declared over a large section of the East China Sea in November 2013. The US, Japan and others denounced the East China Sea zone as illegitimate and ignored it. Responding to the presence of the bombers, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters Friday that there was little point in such missions because "the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea has never been a problem." "The Chinese side has always respected and supported the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea enjoyed by all countries under international law," Geng said.

Source: Philippine Star July 10, 2017 06:33 UTC