Beijing Navy in South China Sea

[updated: 0920 / 21032009] The commander of US forces in the Pacific on Thursday accused China of "aggressive" behavior after a showdown between the two nations' navies.The US military accused Chinese vessels of harassing the Impeccable ship in international waters of the South China Sea earlier this month. Beijing said the surveillance ship was engaged in illegal activities.

China has dispatched patrol ship to what it called China's exclusive maritime zone in South China Sea. The vessel was sent to the disputed waters surrounding the Paracel and Spratly Islands. It is believed the decision was taken after an incident with a US naval vessel and a fresh claim by the Philippines to the disputed territory.