China vows to ‘definitely win once there is a war’ with US as USS Benfold destroyer patrols through South China Sea

CHINA has vowed to "definitely win once there is a war" with the US after accusing the USS Benfold destroyer of "seriously violating the country's sovereignty and security."

An editorial for the Communist Party-controlled Global Times noted that "only by making the US have a taste of its own medicine can we touch the nerves of the US and its allies."

Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli added: "More and more facts have proved that the US is the biggest risk and peace breaker for the stability and peace in the region."

American officials have said “nothing will deter” them from using the South China Sea, parts of which China claim to be sovereign waters.

That came after guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold patrolled through South China Sea, coming within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef earlier this week.

TENSIONS RISE

China has laid claim to the reef - but the US issued its own rebuke, saying the Communist nation's "statement about the mission is false."

Countries including Brunei, Taiwan, and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.

Tensions have been rising in recent years between the two superpowers.

China on Sunday flew 19 nuke bombers and fighter jets into Taiwan air space for "invasion" war games.

The Global Times said the USS Benfold move was "naked provocation, and this is obvious to all."

They added: "The Chinese side cannot remain indifferent, but must take countermeasures.

"The US has deliberately provoked disputes in the South China Sea, and it must in turn endure the PLA's [People's Liberation Army] increasingly strong countermeasures against it. The game between the two sides will continue to go to an extreme.

"The US will definitely see the PLA show up at its doorstep in the not-too-distant future.

"If the situation goes on like this, there will sooner or later be an incident between China and the US in the South China Sea. 

"Once the situation gets out of control and triggers military clash between China and the US, we must give full play to our home-field advantage. China will definitely win once there is a war."

'NOTHING WILL DETER US'

A statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs said: "USS Benfold conducted this FONOP in accordance with international law and then continued on to conduct normal operations in international waters.

"The operation reflects our commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea as a principle.

"The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as USS Benfold did here. Nothing PRC says otherwise will deter us."

RELATIONS STRAINED

Tensions have been bubbling in the seas around China for months where the US and Japan are reported to have been holding joint military exercises amid fears of a possible conflict.

Relations between Taiwan and China have been strained since 2016 after the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen hit back at the "One China" policy pursued by Beijing, which does not recognise Taiwanese independence.

Washington, however, has always maintained a “robust unofficial” relationship with Taiwan but has continued to sell arms to the island.

Last month the US Army successfully fired its first Iron Dome missile interceptor.

Thousands of Marines and sailors also took part in the US Navy's largest war games in 40 years.

That came as Washington was said to be "preparing" for a future world war amid rising tensions with Russia and China.

Fleets began the Large Scale Exercise on August 3 and the drills across 17 time zones will continue until August 16.