China says it drove away US cruiser that 'illegally intruded' waters near South China Sea
ABCChina's military says it drove away a US guided-missile cruiser that "illegally intruded" into waters near the South China Sea's Spratly Islands on Tuesday. Key points: US warships have passed through the South China Sea with increasing frequency in recent years There has been recent high-level meetings between US and Chinese defence chiefs, and the presidents of both countries China says its military forces remain on high alert "The actions of the US military seriously violated China's sovereignty and security," People's Liberation Army spokesman Tian Junli said. Mr Tian said the US vessel's intrusion showed the US was a "security risk-maker" and "is another iron-clad proof of its hegemony in the navigation and militarisation of the South China Sea". US warships have passed through the South China Sea with increasing frequency in recent years, in a show of force against the Chinese claims.