WASHINGTON, 10 May - (ANA) - A US naval warship has sailed near a contested reef in the South China Sea, in what Washington described as a "freedom of navigation" operation. The ship neared the disputed Fiery Cross Reef, which China controls, on Tuesday, US officials said. China said the move was illegal and "damaged regional peace". China and several of its neighbours are locked in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have conflicting claims over reefs and islands in the sea. China turned Fiery Cross Reef into an artificial island through a massive dredging operation, constructing buildings and an airstrip. China says the structures are for civilian purposes. However, neighbouring countries are concerned at their possible military use.(ANA)

FA/ANA/10 May 2016-------------