US Navy official to visit amid tension

In the wake of a United States warship illegally entering waters near a Chinese island in the South China Sea on Tuesday, the commander of the US Pacific Command, Harry Harris, will visit Beijing next week, a source who requested anonymity told China Daily on Wednesday.

Beijing continued to condemn the US action on the second day, as Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called the incident "a serious political provocation against China".

Experts said Harris' visit will be a good chance to boost mutual understanding and make Washington better informed about China's resolution and policy preparations for managing the situation in the South China Sea.