Two US warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, two US officials told Reuters, in a move likely to anger Beijing as Donald Trump seeks its continued cooperation on North Korea. China lands nuclear strike-capable bombers on South China Sea islands Read moreThe US military did not directly comment on Sunday’s operation, but said US forces operate in the region on a daily basis. Pentagon officials have long complained that China has not been candid enough about its rapid military build-up and using South China Sea islands to gather intelligence in the region. In March, a US destroyer carried out a “freedom of navigation” operation close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5tn in shipborne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Source: The Guardian May 27, 2018 14:19 UTC