Tian Junli, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said in a statement that the passing on Wednesday of the USS Benfold guided-missile destroyer near islets in the South China Sea jeopardized peace and stability there.

‘Facts have shown that the US is indeed a troublemaker in the region,’ he said when denouncing that this also shows its hegemonic mentality.

Besides condemning this maneuver, the PLA mobilized its naval and air commandos to monitor the ship’s route and ‘will respond to any kind of threat and provocation at any time, the officer added.

Since mid-2020, China has carried out a number of combat drills in the Taiwan Strait and other sea areas in order to safeguard sovereignty and stability after Washington’s constant military incursions.

The PLA described the drills as a ‘necessary action’ to look after its national interests and test joint combat skills between different forces.

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