US ships must pass through the 12-nautical mile limit around artificial islands that China illegally built in the Spratly Islands.- that is the statement of Mr. John McCain, Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

US Senator John McCain wants US warships to approach artificial islands in the East Sea - Photo: US Navy

“The clearest sign of respect for freedom of navigation is not recognizing the 12-nautical mile limit that is illegally imposed; the clearest way to demonstrate that it is not recognized is to sail into international waters…”, Senator McCain said on September 17, just before the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US.

Up to now, the US has strongly criticized China's illegal reclamation, construction, and militarization activities in the East Sea, most recently the construction of a third runway on Vanh Khanh Reef. However, according to AP, since 2012, the US Navy has avoided entering the 12-nautical mile zone around the illegally built artificial islands in Truong Sa to avoid direct confrontation with China.

China's illegal construction of an airstrip on Vanh Khanh Reef - the third airstrip in Truong Sa - has further pressured the international community to take tough action against China - DigitalGlobe satellite image on September 8, 2015

“This is a dangerous mistake because it recognizes China's illegal sovereignty claims over artificial islands,” McCain said at a hearing with US Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear, then he said forcefully: “We have to go in there.”

The issue of sailing through the 12-nautical mile zone to approach the artificial islands that China illegally built has been a hot topic among US defense officials for a long time. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has “moved closer to these islands” by declaring that the US will “fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.” Mr. McCain quoted that statement during the hearing on September 17.

The 12-nautical mile issue has become even more heated with China building a second and third runway in Truong Sa, despite its previous commitment to stop construction and reclamation in the area.

Americapatrolled the East Sea on a P-8A Poseidon spy plane. In the photo is a computer screen on a P-8A Poseidon plane showing China's illegal construction on Fiery Cross Reef - Photo: Reuters

The Washington Post analyzed that the US will have to consider many different interests when deciding whether to directly confront China or not, because of the extensive economic cooperation between the two sides. In addition, the US still needs China in many political and security issues, such as chemical weapons disarmament in Syria, fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa, controlling the nuclear program in North Korea, etc.

According to TNO