The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday expelled U.S. destroyer USS John S. McCain after it trespassed into China's territorial waters off Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command.

China firmly opposes the U.S. destroyer's trespassing, said Tian, warning that the U.S. moves undermine the peace and stability of the region.