A US warship has sailed close to an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, the first challenge to Beijing`s claim to the waters since President Donald Trump took office.
According to unnamed sources cited by US media, the USS Dewey passed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by other nations.
The US insists it can conduct operations in any international waters.
It says it does not take sides in territorial disputes, but has sent military ships and planes near disputed islands in the past, calling them "freedom of navigation" operations to ensure access to key shipping and air routes.
It has also repeatedly criticised what it sees as Beijing`s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters.
What is Freedom of Navigation?
China has been causing alarm in the region by building up South China Sea reefs and islets into artificial islands and installing some military positions.
Both the US and China have accused each other of "militarising" the South China Sea and there are concerns the area is becoming a flashpoint with potentially serious global consequences.
The latest US manoeuvre is likely to weigh on US-China relations as the Trump administration is seeking Beijing`s co-operation to deal with North Korea`s nuclear ambitions.
The South China Sea dispute.
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