The US Navy is planning to send a destroyer ship to some artificial islands built by China.
The USS Lassen will sail within 12 nautical miles of a reclaimed area of the South China Sea, a direct challenge to China's territorial cliams.
The islands have been built on in the archipelago known as the Spratleys.
US State Department Spokesman John Kirby wouldn't comment on the plan, but maintained the US position on freedom of navigation.
IN: Again this is a military matter...
OUT: ...that's the idea.
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