China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday cautioned U.S. leaders against stirring "trouble" in the South China Sea following reports that a U.S. warship sailed near the disputed Spratly islands.

Wang, who was speaking at a seminar in Beijing, said the claims that a U.S. warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of China's artificial islands in the South China Sea needs to be verified. Nonetheless, he advised the U.S. "not to act in an impudent way and not to make trouble out of nothing," according to Chinese state media.

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A statement from China's foreign ministry shortly afterwards said that authorities had tracked and warned the U.S. warship as it moved close to the Spratly islands. 

"China strongly urges the U.S. side to conscientiously handle China's serious representations, immediately correct its mistake and not take and dangerous or provocative acts that threaten China's sovereignty and security interests," the statement said.

U.S. defense officials have confirmed to the press that guided missile destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Subi Reef. The warship reportedly passed the area early Tuesday morning.

The move was intended to blatantly question China's claim of ownership to the maritime territory, which is also being contested by other neighboring countries. Last month, after reports surfaced that the U.S. was planning to send a warship to the Spratly Islands, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying dismissed the move, which she described as a "provocative" act.

China's expansion in the South China Sea has been a source of contention with neighboring countries and the U.S. Over the past two years, China is estimated to have reclaimed more than 2,000 acres of land in seven Spratly Islands (Subi Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef, Gaven Reef, Hughes Reef, Johnson South Reef and Cuarteron Reef). Recently, satellite images showed that China had completed the construction of a 3,125-meters-long airstrip in Fiery Cross Reef. Reports indicate that the construction of two similar sized airstrips is ongoing on Subi and Mischief Reef. Experts say these airstrips are capable of landing most Chinese military aircrafts and neighboring countries have expressed fears that this could enable China enforce a restriction of movement in the area.

On Tuesday morning, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III hailed the U.S. decision to sail a warship near the disputed islands. He noted that if China's expansion in the region is not challenged, then it will be "accepted."

Aquino went on to caution both nations to observe international laws to avoid any major confrontation. There are lingering concerns among experts about how China will respond to this incident. A statement from the foreign ministry said "China will resolutely respond to any country's deliberate provocations." It remains to be seen what this response will be.

TagsUSS Lassen warship Sail Near Spratlys Islands, Subi Reef US Warship, South China Sea Territorial Dispute, China-US South China Sea Dispute, USS Lassen