Watch: How China Just Responded To U.S. Navy Action Ratchets Up The Tension

Chinese officials wailed and warned Tuesday as the United States challenged its territorial claims in the South China Sea by sailing within 12 miles of two man-made islands. China also sent two ships to stalk the USS Lassen as the American guided-missile destroyer carried out its mission.

The Pentagon said that the Lassen completed its patrol without incident. However, the cruise left Chinese diplomats voicing a chorus of shrill outrage.

“China will firmly react to this deliberate provocation,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang. “China will not condone any action that undermines China’s security.”

U.S. Navy plans to send a destroyer near China’s man-made islands in the South China Sea https://t.co/4FL8poEyeT pic.twitter.com/XBHWEGon3a

— CNN (@CNN) October 26, 2015

The United States was characterized by one expert as having taken a major step with the patrol.

“By using a guided-missile destroyer, rather than smaller vessels…they are sending a strong message,” said Ian Storey, a South China Sea expert at Singapore’s Institute of South East Asian Studies. “They have also said, significantly, that there will be more patrols – so it really now is up to China how it will respond.”

Lu said if the United States acts to “create tensions in the region,” China might “increase and strengthen the building up of our relevant abilities.”

“China hopes to use peaceful means to resolve all the disputes, but if China has to make a response then the timing, method and tempo of the response will be made in accordance with China’s wishes and needs,” he added.

American officials said the exercise was designed to demonstrate the right to freedom of navigation in the contested waters. China claims a 12-mile territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago. The Philippines also has claims to the hundreds of reefs, islets, atolls and islands in the area.

Over the past two years, China has converted reefs and atolls into islands by dredging sand from the ocean floor. Construction on the islands has focused on creating buildings, ports and airstrips big enough to handle bombers. The actions have raised fears that China is preparing a military use for the islands, a claim China denies.

h/t: The Gateway Pundit