China says US warship entered its waters in South China Sea

China on Thursday said that a US warship illegally entered its territorial waters in South China Sea

"U.S. (vessel) did not get approval from the Chinese government and made an unauthorised entry into the sea around China's Paracel Islands, which violated China's sovereignty and security," said Zhao Lijian Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said in statement that Curtis Wilbur entered the waters without permission, adding that its ships and planes followed the U.S. vessel and "expelled" it.

The US Seventh Fleet described it as a "routine" transit.

The South China Sea has become one of many flashpoints in the testy relationship between China and the United States, with Washington rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims by Beijing in the resource-rich waters.

China has been aggressive in its claims in South China Sea. It claims almost entire South China Sea. As a result,  Chinese assertions about its territorial waters in the South China Sea are almost always met with with counter claims and protests from nations in the region. 

China stakes claim over waters demarcated by the so-called 'neine dash line'

The US has often carried out freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea. This has been a cause of friction between the two countries.

The South China Sea and its various islands are claimed by multiple countries including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. 

(With inputs from agencies)