Beijing warns Washington against naval patrols in disputed S. China Sea

Beijing has warned Washington against actions which would challenge China's "sovereignty and security," following reports that the US is planning naval patrols in the disputed South China Sea.

Speaking at a news briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that tensions in the waters have stabilized, due to the hard work of Beijing and Southeast Asia countries.

He went on to urge the US to respect the current situation by not taking "any actions that challenge China's sovereignty and security," Reuters reported.

The statement follows a Sunday report by the Navy Times, which stated that US Navy and Pacific Command leaders were considering freedom of navigation patrols by the San Diego-based Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, citing unnamed defense officials.

A spokesman for Carrier Strike Group One, Dave Bennett, said...