An American warship today patrolled the disputed South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam “to challenge excessive maritime claims” that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others.

The daring freedom of navigation operation by the US, mainly aimed at China, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in a lead story.

“A US warship conducted a patrol Saturday around an island in the South China Sea claimed by China and two of its neighbours, another in a series of operations intended to challenge Beijing’s maritime and territorial claims in the region,” the daily said.

The Pentagon confirmed its operation in South China Sea. “I can confirm the Department of Defence conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Jan 30 (Jan 29 EST), specifically in the vicinity of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, to challenge excessive maritime claims,” Pentagon spokesman Commander Bill Urban said in response to a question.

According to the daily, the operation lasted about three hours, during which there were no Chinese army or navy seen in the area. “We saw nothing that was unusual in terms of the reaction,” a senior defence official was quoted as saying.

This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas, he said.

The excessive claims regarding Triton Island are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the law of the Sea Convention.