China: Party Mouthpiece Calls For Warning Shots Against U.S. South China Sea Patrols

February 19, 2016 | 08:56 GMT

Chinese forces should fire warning shots or deliberately ram U.S. warships sailing close to Chinese-controlled islands in the Paracels, a disputed area of the South China Sea, according to a commentary published in the Communist Party-controlled People’s Daily, the South China Morning Post reported Feb. 19. The United States has twice sent warships to patrol near disputed islands held by China in the region and says it plans to continue doing so, possibly in joint patrols with other regional powers such as Japan or Australia. China must make its stance clear in the area by taking firmer action against any incursions, the commentary said. China recently deployed surface-to-air missile systems on one island in the Paracels, drawing condemnation from across the international community. Chinese missile deployments to Woody Island will not significantly change the calculations of anyone involved in the South China Sea dispute.