A week after a US Navy destroyer sailed around the contested archipelago of Spratly Islands, China has stepped on the throttle and stationed permanent forces on its three artificial islands in the region.

A week after a US Navy destroyer sailed around the contested archipelago of Spratly Islands, China has stepped on the throttle and stationed permanent forces on its three artificial islands in the region. According to reports, the three man-made islands in the Spratlys viz. Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs will have a new flying squadron and maritime rescue and administration staff. The official Chinese version of the event states, "..the forward stationed Chinese departments will undertake maritime emergency rescue tasks, perform maritime traffic safety supervision and prevention of ship pollution and other duties in the Nansha (Spratly) water," However, some experts are of the view that 'maritime rescue and administration staff' is a euphemism for the People Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N), which attempts to control the region with an iron fist. What happened last week? As reported by WION previously, China had been irked by the presence of USS Benfold (DDG 65) in the region for a second successive time last week. Washington, at the time, dubbed its exercise as 'freedom of navigation' and asserted navigational rights and freedom in the region, consistent with international law. Read More: US Navy destroyer sails in the disputed Spratly Islands for the second time in a week; irks China Significance and history of Spratly Islands The Spratly Islands lie off the coast of the Philippines, Southern Vietnam and Malaysia. It is believed that the island has significant natural gas and oil reserves, in addition to the fishing grounds and acting as a strategic shipping route. China, much like other disputed areas of the region claims the Spratly Islands as its own, despite military forces of Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines occupying various parts of the natural islands in the archipelago. Read More: Why the South China Sea is a hotbed of confrontation It is pertinent to note that up until 1988, the Spratly Islands were under the complete control of Vietnam. However, asserting its “historical maritime rights”, China in 1988, killed 74 Vietnamese sailors and assumed control over the islands. Since then, the tussle has been ongoing and China has conjured its nine-dash theory to control the South China sea. Despite the international tribunal invalidating China's claims in the region, it has never accepted the ruling. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

China stations permanent forces in the Spratly Islands, a week after a US destroyer sailed in the region

China on Thursday said that a US warship illegally entered its territorial waters in South China Sea

"U.S. (vessel) did not get approval from the Chinese government and made an unauthorised entry into the sea around China's Paracel Islands, which violated China's sovereignty and security," said Zhao Lijian Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said in statement that Curtis Wilbur entered the waters without permission, adding that its ships and planes followed the U.S. vessel and "expelled" it.

The US Seventh Fleet described it as a "routine" transit.

The South China Sea has become one of many flashpoints in the testy relationship between China and the United States, with Washington rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims by Beijing in the resource-rich waters.

China has been aggressive in its claims in South China Sea. It claims&nbsp;almost entire South China Sea. As a result,&nbsp; Chinese assertions about its territorial waters in the South China Sea are almost always met with with counter claims and protests from nations in the region.&nbsp;

China stakes claim over&nbsp;waters demarcated by the so-called 'neine dash line'

The US has often carried out freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea. This has been a cause of friction between the two countries.

The South China Sea and its various islands are claimed by multiple countries including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China on Thursday said that a US warship illegally entered its territorial waters in South China Sea "U.S. (vessel) did not get approval from the Chinese government and made an unauthorised entry into the sea around China's Paracel Islands, which violated China's sovereignty and security," said Zhao Lijian Chinese foreign ministry spokesman.

China on Thursday said that a US warship illegally entered its territorial waters in South China Sea "U.S. (vessel) did not get approval from the Chinese government and made an unauthorised entry into the sea around China's Paracel Islands, which violated China's sovereignty and security," said Zhao Lijian Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said in statement that Curtis Wilbur entered the waters without permission, adding that its ships and planes followed the U.S. vessel and "expelled" it. The US Seventh Fleet described it as a "routine" transit. The South China Sea has become one of many flashpoints in the testy relationship between China and the United States, with Washington rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims by Beijing in the resource-rich waters. China has been aggressive in its claims in South China Sea. It claims almost entire South China Sea. As a result, Chinese assertions about its territorial waters in the South China Sea are almost always met with with counter claims and protests from nations in the region. China stakes claim over waters demarcated by the so-called 'neine dash line' The US has often carried out freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea. This has been a cause of friction between the two countries. The South China Sea and its various islands are claimed by multiple countries including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. (With inputs from agencies)

China says US warship entered its waters in South China Sea

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China stations permanent forces in the Spratly Islands, a week after a US destroyer sailed in the region

China says US warship entered its waters in South China Sea