The Associated Press

China says it has registered “stern complaints” with the U.S. over the latest mission by a U.S. Navy ship intended to challenge China’s claims of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters on Monday that China dispatched planes and ships to demand that the USS McCampbell leave waters around the Paracel Islands.

Lu said the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was in the area Monday without China’s permission and “we have made stern complaints with the U.S.”

“Relevant actions by U.S. vessels violate Chinese and international laws, infringe on China’s sovereignty, and undermine peace, stability and good order in relevant waters,” Lu said.

“We will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and security,” he said.

Despite China’s objections, the U.S. has kept up a steady pace of such actions, known as a freedom of navigation operations, or FONOPS.

China has sounded a positive note ahead of trade talks this week with Washington, but the two sides face potentially lengthy wrangling over technology and the future of their economic relationship.

Both sides have expressed an interest in settling their tariff fight over Beijing’s technology ambitions. Yet neither has indicated its stance has changed since a Dec. 1 agreement by Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to postpone further increases.