This has raised strong oppositions from the Chinese side, as sailing within 12 nautical miles of a territory held by a different country is viewed internationally as a violation of territorial sovereignty.

　　The US Defense Department claims the ship was conducting routine operations in line with the international law.

　　Chinese naval expert Yin Zhuo says the US side is in the wrong.

　　美国在中国南海的行为违法国际法

　　"The right of "innocent passage" insisted by the US sounds plausible, but it has not received widespread recognition around the world. At the same time, international legal documents including the UN Convention on the law of the sea and Convention on the High Seas, along with domestic laws in many countries have clearly stipulated that any military vessels have to obtain permission from the local government before entering the country's territory. "

　　The US government has been promoting a Freedom of Navigation program around the world since 1979, insisting that it is within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

　　However, the US itself has not formally ratified that UN treaty.

　　Two weeks ago, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter warned the US will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits, saying there will be no exception to that.

　　Professor Su Hao with the Center for Strategic and Peace Studies at China Foreign Affairs University says that statement appears directed specifically at China.

　　"We know that the South China Seas' situation is very complicated. The United States, possibly if it wanted, could sail to some other countries and claimed areas. But it is not the real intention of the United States to provoke other countries, and is intentionally trying to make trouble with China."

　　Naval expert Yin Zhuo says the United States is deliberately intervening in affairs in the South China Sea.

　　"The main goal of the US is to get more deeply involved in the South China Sea, and is always putting the spotlight on the area when it comes to talking about China on the international stage. The United States sis taking advantage of the South China sea issue to isolate China from other countries in this region. As such, this could negatively affect China's economic development, especially among the ASEAN Plus 3 and the ASEAN Plus 6 groupings, as well as the free trade area through the Asia and Pacific region."

　　The US Defense Department is dispatching its new head of its Pacific Fleet to Beijing next week for talks.

　　Commander Harry Harris will arrive in Beijing on November 2nd to meet with Chinese naval officials to try to ease tensions and avoid any unnecessary escalation.

　　For CRI, I am Wang Mengzhen.