The Chinese government has stated that a vessel belonging to the Royal Netherlands Navy entered China’s territorial waters in the South China Sea.
The incident reportedly involved the frigate De Ruyter, which passed near the Paracel Islands.
China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974, although Vietnam and Taiwan also claim sovereignty over the archipelago.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said that the Dutch frigate violated China’s territorial sovereignty as well as maritime and air security.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has rejected the accusations. According to Navy representative Marinka Hiraldo Vos-van Kooten, the frigate De Ruyter did not enter territorial waters and operated in accordance with international law.
