An American warship on Saturday patrolled the disputed South China Sea "to challenge excessive maritime claims" by China, Taiwan and Vietnam that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others in the area, reported The Indian Express. The Pentagon confirmed the operation that was mainly intended to challenge Beijing's maritime and territorial claims over the region.

The US operation lasted about three hours, during which there were no Chinese army or navy vessels seen in the area. Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, said the US takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties, but it does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries.