The patrols mark the most serious U.S. challenge yet to the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit China claims around the islands and are certain to anger Beijing, which said last month it would "never allow any country" to violate its territorial waters and airspace in the Spratlys.
這次巡航標誌著美國對中國所宣稱的12英裏海洋權利和領空的挑戰,無疑會激怒北京,因為北京上個月宣稱,決不允許任何國家挑戰Spratlys島的領海和領空。