International tensions over the South China Sea escalated Wednesday as China fired two medium-range missiles into the sea as a warning to the U.S.
The move came the day after China accused the U.S. of flying a Lockheed U-2 spy plane over a live-fire drill the Chinese navy was conducting in the region.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has deployed ships and aircraft to the region to keep a close eye on Chinese military activity.
The first missile, categorized as a DF-26B, was launched from the northwestern province of Qinghai. It has a range of 2,485 miles and can be equipped with nuclear warheads.
The second missile, a DF-21D, came from Zhejiang province in eastern China. While it only has a range of 1,118 miles, the Chinese government has claimed it is an advance anti-ship weapon capable of destroying an aircraft carrier.
