Beijing has disavowed the tribunal ruling and continued to build up and militarily reinforce its positions in the South China Sea. Washington counters that its naval presence in the South China Sea supports freedom of navigation under international maritime law. The guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold steams through the South China Sea on Monday, July 12. "Facts show that the United States is an out-and-out 'South China Sea security risk maker,'" Tian said. "Nowhere is the rules-based maritime order under greater threat than in the South China Sea.

Source: CNN July 12, 2021 04:41 UTC