washington u.s. navy destroyer sail near islands claim china south china sea tuesday three u.s. officials tell reuters prompt anger beijing even president donald trump administration seek chinese cooperation rein north korea missile nuclear program operation late attempt counter washington see beijing efforts limit freedom navigation strategic water provocative previous ones carry since trump take office january officials speak condition anonymity say chafee guided-missile destroyer carry normal maneuver operations challenge excessive maritime claim near paracel islands among string islets reef shoal china territorial dispute neighbor china defense ministry say wednesday warship two fighter jet helicopter scramble warn u.s. ship away add infringe upon china sovereignty security provocation china would strengthen naval air defenses ministry say demand u.s. side earnestly take step correct mistake add speak early daily news brief beijing chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying say china lodge stern representations unite state reiterate paracels chinese territory china continue take resolute measure protect chinese sovereign territory maritime interest china urge u.s. conscientiously respect china sovereign territory security interest conscientiously respect efforts regional countries make protect peace stability south china sea stop wrong action next month trump make first visit asia president include stop china pressure rein north korea china north korea neighbor big trade partner unlike august u.s. navy destroyer come within 12 nautical miles artificial island build china south china sea officials say destroyer tuesday sail close within range islands twelve nautical miles mark internationally recognize territorial limit sail within range mean show unite state recognize territorial claim pentagon comment directly operation say unite state carry regular freedom-of-navigation operations would continue china claim south china sea trillion shipborne trade pass year contest brunei malaysia philippines taiwan vietnam experts u.s. officials criticize former president barack obama potentially reinforce china claim stick innocent passage warship effectively recognize territorial sea cross speedily without stop u.s. military long-standing position operations carry throughout world include areas claim ally separate political considerations unite state say would like see international participation freedom-of-navigation operations south china sea trump trip asia likely dominate north korean nuclear threat also visit south korea japan vietnam philippines recent weeks north korea launch two missiles japan conduct sixth nuclear test defiance u.n. security council resolutions may fast advance toward goal develop nuclear-tipped missile capable hit u.s. mainland trump visit china reciprocate trip unite state make april chinese president xi jinping u.s. president attempt get chinese help north korea meet limit success far go way thank xi efforts exclusive u.s. warship sail near islands beijing claim south china sea u.s. officials