A US guided-missile destroyer sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea in what China called a "provocation", as US officials joined talks in Beijing during a truce in a bitter trade war.

Key points: China claims much of the strategic South China Sea despite six other nations' disputes

China claims much of the strategic South China Sea despite six other nations' disputes China sent planes to warn off the ship, saying the US broke Chinese and international laws

China sent planes to warn off the ship, saying the US broke Chinese and international laws The face-to-face talks are the first since the two called a 90-day truce in their trade war

The USS McCampbell carried out a "freedom of navigation" operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Island chain "to challenge excessive maritime claims", Pacific Fleet spokeswoman Rachel McMarr said in an emailed statement.

The operation was not about any one country or to make a political statement, Ms McMarr said.

The statement came as trade talks between China and the United States were under way in Beijing, the first round of face-to-face discussions since both sides agreed to a 90-day truce in a trade war that has roiled international markets.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the conduct of the US ship had violated Chinese and international law, and China had lodged "stern representations".

"We urge the United States to immediately cease this kind of provocation," he said, adding that China had sent military ships and aircraft to identify and warn off the ship.

Asked about the timing of the operation during trade talks, Mr Lu said resolving issues would benefit the two countries and the world.

"Both sides have the responsibility to create the necessary positive atmosphere for this," he said.

China claims almost all of the strategic South China Sea and frequently lambasts the United States and its allies for freedom of navigation naval operations near Chinese-occupied islands.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have competing claims in the region.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in December agreed to put on hold a spiralling trade dispute of tit-for-tat import tariffs on hundreds of billions worth of goods.

Mr Trump has imposed tariffs to pressure Beijing to change its practices on issues ranging from corporate espionage to market access and industrial subsidies.

China has retaliated with tariffs of its own.

There are fears the relationship between the US and China is cooling. ( Reuters: Kevin Lamarque )

Fears have grown in recent months that the dispute is just one part of a bilateral relationship that is fast cooling across the board, with top administration officials sharply criticising Beijing for everything from human rights abuses to its influence operations in the United States.

The two countries are also at odds over regional security, including Washington's overtures to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.

China and the United States have repeatedly traded barbs in the past over what Washington says is Beijing's militarisation of the South China Sea by building military installations on artificial islands and reefs.

China defends its construction as necessary for self-defence, and says Washington is responsible for ratcheting up tensions in the region by sending warships and military aircraft close to islands which are claimed by Beijing.

Reuters