THE United States will “fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows,” a US official said on Friday, despite a warning from China to “non-regional forces” to refrain from “stirring up trouble” within the disputed South China Sea.

Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the Japan-based US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces, issued the statement at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City during closing ceremonies of the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises between the Philippine Navy and Washington’s USS Wasp that were held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.