China's military says it drove away Dutch frigate in South China Sea

BEIJING, - China's military said it organised naval and air forces to drive away Dutch frigate De Ruyter, which it accused of illegally ‌intruding into ⁠the ⁠Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday.

Carrier-based helicopters have repeatedly taken off and "intruded into China's airspace," Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said in a statement.

"We firmly oppose ⁠this and ‌solemnly urge the Dutch ​side to immediately ​cease its infringing and provocative ⁠acts," Zhai said, adding the Chinese military ​will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security.


The ​Chinese claim marks a relatively unusual public confrontation with the Netherlands in the South China Sea.

The Dutch defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for ‌comment.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts also claimed ​by Brunei, ​Indonesia, Malaysia, ⁠the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China's claims ​were not supported by international law, a decision that Beijing rejects.