US in close communications with Beijing over South China Sea tensions

From the Philippine News Agency/Sputnik (Oct 28): US in close communications with Beijing over South China Sea tensions

The United States is keeping in close contact with Chinese officials regarding tensions that have erupted over the US military sending a warship in the South China Sea, US State Department Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) spokesperson Katrina Adams told Sputnik.

"We [the United States] are in close communication with the [Chinese] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have had a number of discussions on this issue," Adams said on Tuesday when asked to comment on reports that China summoned the US Ambassador over the South China Sea patrol.

Earlier on Tuesday, China accused the United States of threatening the country’s security, when Washington sailed the USS Lassen within 12 nautical miles of the Spratly Islands.

The State Department could not provide more details because it does not comment on the content of diplomatic conversations, Adams added.

US officials claimed the move was intended to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, the US Department of Defense said it would continue such naval exercises in the region.

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