China said on Thursday a US warship illegally entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea, the latest salvo in the two nations' dispute over Beijing's territorial claims in the busy waterway.
In a statement, the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said the Curtis Wilbur entered the waters near the Paracel Islands without permission, adding that its ships and planes followed the US vessel.
It added that China opposed the US action, which violated its sovereignty and undermined regional peace and stability.