China sent warships to confront the U.S. Navy Antietam cruiser, pictured above, and Higgins destroyer as they conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. Photo by U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons

May 27 (UPI) -- China announced Sunday it sent warships to challenge two U.S. Navy vessels that sailed through disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The Chinese confronted the two ships -- the Higgins destroyer and the Antietam cruiser -- and ordered them to leave as they sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, an archipelago in the waters over which Beijing claims total sovereignty.


China's Ministry of National Defense said the United States "seriously violated China's sovereignty" and undermined peace, security and mutual trust between the two nations and their militaries.

The U.S. ships were performing so-called "freedom of navigation operations" meant to exercise the U.S. right to navigate the waters under international law, as China's claims over the South China Sea aren't internationally recognized.

China claims the passage within the country's territory represents a violation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"The Chinese army is determined to strengthen the preparations for sea and air combat readiness, raise the level of defense, defend national sovereignty and security, and maintain the determination of regional peace and stability," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said.

The confrontation comes after the United States rescinded its invitation for China to participate in June's Rim of the Pacific international maritime exercises on Thursday.

The Pentagon said China broke a promise made by President Xi Jinping to not militarize the South China Sea.

On May 18, China announced the People's Liberation Army Air Force landed the advanced H-6K strategic bomber on an island reef for the first time.

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