The US Pacific Fleet says a US Navy ship had to manoeuvre to prevent a collision with a Chinese destroyer in the South China Sea that came aggressively close.

Lieutenant Commander Tim Gorman says the Chinese destroyer approached the USS Decatur in an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” on Sunday near Gaven Reefs.

Gorman said on Tuesday the Chinese destroyer approached within 41 metres of the Decatur’s bow.

China claims most of the strategic waterway.

The Chinese defence ministry says it opposes the US warship’s entry into the waters “around China’s islands and reefs”.

It confirmed a Chinese missile destroyer was immediately deployed to identify the American vessel and drive it away.

The Chinese foreign ministry said it strongly urged the U.S. to stop its “provocative” actions.

Relations between the US and China have deteriorated over an escalating trade dispute but ties have worsened in recent weeks with a US decision to issue economic sanctions over the purchase of Russian fighter jets and surface-to-air missile equipment.

Beijing said the US had no right to interfere in Chinese military co-operation with Russia.

In response to the sanctions, China summoned the American ambassador and defence attache to deliver a protest and recalled its navy commander from a US trip.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has since dropped plans to visit China in October for talks.