China has cautioned the U.S. government against taking any "provocative actions" in the South China Sea. The admonition on Friday followed an announcement that the Pentagon may be planning to send a warship to patrol within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Spratly Islands.

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"We will never allow any country to violate China's territorial waters and airspace in the Spratly Islands, in the name of protecting freedom of navigation and overflight," China's foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a press briefing.

The plan to send a U.S. warship to the contested territory was announced a few days after the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott Swift warned that the freedom of the South China Sea is not "up for grabs."

Experts say the move shows the frustration of the U.S. government regarding the inability to reach a widely acceptable agreement on the issue with China. Over the past two years, China is estimated to have reclaimed up to 2,000 acres of land from seven Spratly Islands. Neighboring countries - including Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam - who all claim ownership of the region, have condemned China's actions.

Many had expected President Barack Obama to reach a deal with President Xi Jinping on the dispute during the latter's visit to Washington last month. Instead, President Xi reiterated China's long-standing claim of ownership over the entire region during his speech. He also assured the public that China is not planning to militarize the Spratly Islands and that the country's activities there will not affect commerce.

The South China Sea serves as an important shipping route for several countries in the region and beyond. Experts estimate that it facilitates at least $5 billion worth of trade annually.

Last Month, defense analysis company IHS Jane revealed that satellite images show that China has completed an airstrip on the Fiery Cross Reef (known as Yongshu Reef in China). The 3,125 meter-long airstrip is believed to be long enough to land most of China's military aircrafts. Meanwhile, China is reportedly constructing two similar sized airstrips on the Subi and Mischief Reef.

Filipino officials have voiced concerns that these airstrips could enable China patrol the area more effectively and impose restrictions on free movement.

Pentagon officials, who spoke to Navy Times anonymously, have revealed that a warship could be sent to patrol the area within days once President Barack Obama approves the plan. Some pundits have voiced fears that a U.S. warship in the South China Sea could be dragged into combat with a Chinese vessel. However, U.S. officials have downplayed this possibility. "The objective to this would be to demonstrate that this is international water," an unidentified official told The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, Hua, who underscored the fact that the U.S. is aware of China's "principled stance," urged all relevant parties to consider regional peace and stability foremost.

TagsU.S. Warship South China Sea, China Airstrip Spratly Islands