The U.S. Navy on Thursday disputed China’s claim that the Chinese military had driven away a U.S. destroyer that illegally entered waters around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

In a statement, the Chinese military said that the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius intruded into China’s territorial waters, undermining peace and stability in the busy waterway.

The U.S. Navy disputed the statement, saying the destroyer is conducting “routine operations” in the South China Sea and was not expelled.

“The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows,” a statement from the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet said.

Tension between the United States and China has been growing in the area.

The United States has been shoring up alliances in the Asia-Pacific seeking to counter China’s aggression in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, as the Chinese regime seeks to advance its territorial claims.