US ship sails by China-claimed islands in South China Sea

The US Navy's 7th Fleet said destroyer USS Russell asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands. - USPACIFICFLEET/TWITTER

BEIJING (Reuters): A United States Navy warship sailed by islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Wednesday (Feb 17) in a freedom of navigation operation, marking the latest move by Washington to challenge Beijing's territorial claims in the contested waters.

The US Navy's 7th Fleet said destroyer USS Russell "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law".