China Warns U.S. After Navy Ship Travels Near Disputed Man-Made Islands in South China Sea

Officials in China have issued a stern warning to the U.S. after they claim to have detected a Navy ship traveling close to the highly disputed man-made islands in the country's South China Sea.

Authorities in the capital of Beijing released a statement chastising the U.S. Navy for having its missile destroyer travel so close to the islands despite warnings not to do so.

As Reuters reports, China's Foreign Ministry released a statement calling the U.S. actions "illegal" and "irresponsible," adding that China will respond if such actions are taken again.

"China will resolutely respond to any country's deliberate provocations," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The actions of the U.S. warship have threatened China's sovereignty and security interests, jeopardized the safety of personnel and facilities on the reefs, and damaged regional peace and stability," the ministry continued in its statement. "The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition."

As BBC reports, this incident is the latest over the highly disputed man-made islands in the South China Sea.

China built the islands on a reef in 2013, and the U.S. has accused the Asian country of building the islands to strengthen their military power in the area.

Lu Kang, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released a statement warning that any country that attempts to approach the islands too closely will surely face conssequences.

"If any country thinks that, through some gimmicks, they will be able to interfere with or even prevent China from engaging in reasonable, legitimate and legal activities in its own territories, I want to suggest those countries give up such fantasy," Kang said.