Tensions over the disputed South China Sea have been reignited after Beijing stated its army had pushed away a US warship that had entered its territorial waters with out permission.

Washington has insisted the naval destroyer USS Hopper was on a routine freedom of navigation patrol.

According to a submit on the official WeChat social media account of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the army deployed naval and air forces to "track, monitor and warn away" the American vessel.

But in response, the US Navy stated the ship had "asserted navigational rights in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law".

Beijing lays declare to almost all the South China Sea, which offers a path to greater than £2.4trn of seaborne commerce a 12 months, together with components over which the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei assert rights.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 stated China's wide-reaching declare had no authorized foundation.

The Philippines and Australia started their first joint sea and air patrols within the sea on Saturday, days after Beijing accused Manila of enlisting international forces to patrol the South China Sea - a reference to joint operations with the US army.

Two Chinese fighter jets had been monitored "orbiting" a Philippine plane collaborating within the patrols however didn't trigger an issue, Manila stated.

Philippine army chief Romeo Brawner stated the nation was properly inside its rights to conduct joint patrols with allies to advertise the "rule-based international order".

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Australian deputy prime minister Richard Marles stated: "Australia and the Philippines are firmly committed to a peaceful, secure and prosperous region, where sovereignty and agreed rules and norms are respected.

"The first joint patrol between the Australian defence pressure and the armed forces of the Philippines demonstrates thisdedication."

China stated the incident involving the USS Hopper "proves that the United States is an out-and-out 'security risk creator' in the South China Sea".

Lieutenant Kristina Weidemann of the US Navy stated in an announcement: "The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant.

"Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims within the South China Sea pose a critical risk to the liberty of the seas."

Earlier this month, the US and China held "candid" talks on maritime issues, including the contested South China Sea, where Washington underlined its concerns about what it called "harmful and illegal" Chinese actions.

Content Source: information.sky.com