The sea is a strategically vital waterway with shipping lanes through which about a third of all the world's traded oil passes, and the dispute has raised fears of clashes.
"We have been clear that we take no position on competing territorial sovereignty claims to land features in the South China Sea," the US defense official said.
Alleged on-going reclamation by China on Mischief Reef in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, is shown in this aerial shot taken on May 11, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ritchie B. Tongo)
"We will fly, sail, and operate anywhere in the world that international law allows."
The official insisted that freedom of navigation operations, which are global in scope, are "not directed at any specific country."
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- also claim parts of the sea. Taiwan is a sixth claimant.
yahoo.com
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