[Credit: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces]

A US Navy warship has sailed to within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, in what is being regarded as a highly provocative move by the Trump administration, and a direct challenge to China’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

China is embroiled in a serious territorial dispute with it’s neighbours, with potentially trillions of dollars in shipping revenue and untapped oil and gas reserves at stake.

Following the incident, Beijing issued what it called “stern representations to the US” calling on Washington to “end provocative actions”.

Nima Green reports live on the latest development in the long-running geopolitical spat between China and the US.