The Global Times (Chinese-September 8) in a sharply worded article criticised the USS "Benford"
guided-missile destroyer for entering waters "adjacent to China's Nansha Mischief Reef on
September 8 without permission". The statement issued by the United States acknowledged that
the "Benford" entered 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef. Calling it "a naked provocation by the
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US", it said "The United States deliberately provoked the South China Sea dispute, and it must in
turn endure the PLA's increasingly strong countermeasures against it. The game between the two
sides will continue to be limited. Except in the not too distant future, the United States will
definitely see the People's Liberation Army appear at its doorstep. It will also face uncertainties
that are increasingly difficult to control with China". The article warned: "If things go on like this,
sooner or later there will be trouble between China and the United States in the South China Sea."
Urging China to prepare for conflict with the US, it said "Once the situation is out of control,
leading to short-term battles between China and the United States, we must give full play to our
"home field advantage", so that we can do nothing if we fight, and we will win if we fight!"
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