China: US Uses "Freedom of Navigation" to Transit Combat Ships, Warplanes

Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense reiterated his country's opposition to the measures taken by the US Navy, explaining that Washington is using freedom of navigation as a pretext to send ships and warplanes to violate the sovereignty of countries.

Kefei's remarks came during a regular press conference, according to the Chinese (Xinhua) news agency, on Thursday, in response to a relevant report recently issued by the US Department of Defense on "freedom of navigation."

He said that the United States is using "freedom of navigation" as an excuse to repeatedly send ships and warplanes to violate the sovereignty of other countries and endanger regional peace, calling on the countries concerned to show common opposition in the face of these maritime practices.

He pointed out that the so-called "freedom of navigation" operations of the US represent a challenge to the international system based on international law and a continuing threat to the safety of navigation and an escalation of regional tensions, calling on the United States to think about the number of collisions and losses resulting from these operations.

The spokesman also urged the United States to stop the so-called "freedom of navigation operations" and to stop issuing such irresponsible reports, stressing that the United States should make more contributions to regional peace and stability.