In the early hours of Oct. 20, the US littoral combat ship USS Charleston
entered waters near Xianbin Reef in the Spratly Islands without Chinese
government permission. The PLA Southern Theater navy deployed forces to track
and monitor the vessel in accordance with law. China said it has indisputable
sovereignty over the Spratly Islands, called the US action an infringement of
its sovereign rights and a threat to maritime security and regional stability,
and demanded the activity stop immediately. Theater forces remain on high alert.
