In this June 29, 2014 file photo, soldiers carry a Chinese national flag at a military base during an open day event of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

       BEIJING (Kyodo) -- China's military criticized the United States on Monday for sending a warship into waters around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea that are claimed by the Asian country.

       The activity, called by the U.S. Navy a "freedom of navigation operation" and carried out earlier Monday by the guided-missile destroyer Benford, came on the fifth anniversary of the ruling of an international tribunal rejecting Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.

       The People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command said the U.S. warship entered the Chinese territorial waters "without the approval of the Chinese government," adding the latest action has "severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea."

       "We strongly urge the United States to stop such provocative actions and strictly control maritime and air military activities. Otherwise, all consequences arising from this will be borne by the United States," the military said.

       In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China has no historic rights to resources in the South China Sea based on its expansive, self-proclaimed "nine-dash line."

       The case was brought to the court by the Philippines and the decision invalidated China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea.

       China, however, has built artificial islands with military infrastructure there. The Paracel Islands, called Xisha by Beijing, are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0