In a probable sign of mutual de-escalation, a lethal U.S. Navy destroyer has docked at the port city of Qingdao, headquarters of the North Sea Fleet that is the strongest among the Peoples Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) three fleets.

The visit of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Benfold armed with over 100 surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and anti-submarine missiles is the first by a U.S. Navy warship to China following China's humiliating loss of face at the Permanent Court of Arbitration last July 12.

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The court's ruling in the South China Sea case filed by the Philippines has been described as a "sweeping victory" against China. It said China has no legal basis to claim historic rights within its "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea.

It also ruled none of the land features in the Spratlys meet the criteria for an island that China -- or any other country -- can use to claim a 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China has both assailed and ignored the court's ruling and has since decided to "make angry faces" at the U.S., the Philippines and their allies.

It is unclear why the USS Benfold arrived at Qingdao but the ship's captain, Commander Justin Harts, said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from the PLAN. He referred questions about tensions in the South China Sea to the United States Pacific Command in Hawaii.

Cmdr. Harts, however, said Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will meet media on Aug. 9 in Qingdao to answer more questions.

The USS Benfold belongs to the carrier group of the Nimitz-class nuclear supercarrier USS Ronald Reagan that has been patrolling the South China Sea since June. This group includes the Aegis cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur and USS McCampbell.

The other carrier group is led by the USS John C. Stennis and includes the Aegis cruiser USS Mobile Bay and the guided missile destroyers USS William P. Lawrence, USS Chung-Hoon and USS Stockdale.

Together, the U.S. Navy carrier groups patrolling off the Philippines consist of these two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers; two guided-missile cruisers; six guided-missile destroyers and 140 aircraft. Two nuclear attack submarines also accompany these warships.

The PLAN's North Sea Fleet defends north east China, including Beijing. It is the strongest among the PLAN's three fleets with at least 23 surface warships and 20 nuclear or diesel-electric submarines. 

TagsUSS Benfold, Qingdao, People's Liberation Army Navy, Permanent Court of Arbitratio, South China Sea, Commander Justin Harts