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.
这次巡航标志着美国对中国所宣称的12英里海洋权利和领空的挑战,无疑会激怒北京,因为北京上个月宣称,决不允许任何国家挑战Spratlys岛的领海和领空。