[Tintin Storm]

It is not the first time that an American destroyer has been disturbing the watch of Chinese sailors. In October 2015, the USS Lassen violated the peace, in October 2016 - USS Decatur, and this year USS Stethem and USS John S. McCain appeared.
The State Department's version is as follows: we swim, wherever we want, within the framework of international maritime law. However, China has a different opinion: Paracel Islands are a disputed territory, but they are inhabited by Chinese military and they enter the exclusive economic zone of China. Therefore, the arrival of a destroyer is political and military provocation, threatening infrastructure and personnel in this archipelago.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Geng Shuang, said that the unauthorized entry of the USS John S. McCain into the water of the South China Sea without the permission of the Chinese government was met with extreme dissatisfaction in the PRC, and the country will soon make a serious claim to the US.
The US government spokesman said that in August the US Navy ship conducted a free seafaring operation near the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, the US Navy destroyer John S.McCain traveled 12 miles near this artificial island.
Commenting on the arrival of the US ship in the water area near the Meiji reef of the Nansha archipelago with the "operation on freedom of navigation," Geng Shuang confirmed the fact of the US warship entering the indicated area without the permission of the PRC government. The PLA immediately dispatched warships to meet the USS John S.McCain to identify the ship and warn of the need to leave the water area.
The diplomat pointed out that China has undeniable sovereignty over the Nansha archipelago (Spratly Islands) and the adjacent water area. The act of the US ship violates both the laws of China and international law, seriously undermining China's sovereignty and security and endangering the representatives of the army on both sides.
Geng Shuang noted that over a period, thanks to the joint efforts of the PRC and ASEAN, the situation around the South China Sea has been stabilized and favorable trends in the region have been continuously developed.
Particularly, the Codex of Conduct in the South China Sea was unanimously adopted at the recent meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the PRC-ASEAN in the Philippines.
In these circumstances, the movement against the general trend on the part of forces outside this water area, which, wishing to make a scandal, is carrying out an "operation on the freedom of navigation" seems a futile attempt to eliminate the favorable situation achieved through considerable efforts.
This clearly indicates that the side which does not want to see a stable situation in the South China Sea, promote the militarization of this water area.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that China is unshakable in its determination to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests, and it is determined to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea. Provocation by the US obliges the PRC to take appropriate measures to enhance the country's defense capability.