The US Navy plans to conduct regular patrols within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands China has built in the South China Sea.

A US guided missile destroyer. Photo: US Navy

"We'll do it about twice a quarter, or a little more than that," Reuters quoted a US defense official as saying.

“It’s the right frequency to make it a regular activity, but not a constant ‘poke in the eye.’ This frequency is consistent with our intention to regularly demonstrate our rights under international law and remind China and others of our position,” the official said.

US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said yesterday that there would be more activities demonstrating the US military's commitment to freedom of navigation in the region.

"We have an interest there. This is to demonstrate that we will uphold the principles of freedom of navigation," Mr. Rhodes said.

Vice Admiral John Aquilino, deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, declined to comment on when the next patrol would take place.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter may visit a US Navy ship during his upcoming visit to Asia, but is not expected to board any vessels conducting freedom of navigation operations, US defense officials said.

A US guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by Beijing in the South China Sea last week. China’s naval commander warned his US counterpart last week that a minor incident could spark war in the South China Sea if the US did not stop its “provocative actions” in the disputed waters.

Responding to the US sending patrol ships close to artificial islands in Truong Sa, Vietnam reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos and called on relevant parties to actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea on the basis of international law.

According to VNE