U.S. and China Clash Over South China Sea Naval Encounter Near Scarborough Shoal

On Wednesday, China's military reported that it monitored and "drove away" a U.S. destroyer that had sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy, however, stated that its actions were in accordance with international law.

This incident marked the first known U.S. military operation within the shoal's waters in at least six years. It occurred a day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" during a supply mission near the atoll.

China's Southern Theatre Command stated that the USS Higgins had entered the waters "without approval of the Chinese government." They claimed the U.S. action violated China's sovereignty and security, undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and vowed to maintain a constant state of alert.

In response, the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet refuted China's claims, asserting that the Higgins had "asserted navigational rights and freedoms" near the Scarborough Shoal, in line with international law. The U.S. Navy emphasized its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea, stating that they would continue to operate wherever international law allows.

China's claims encompass almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping the exclusive economic zones of several other nations. Disputes over ownership of various islands and features have persisted for years. The U.S. frequently conducts "freedom of navigation" operations in the area, challenging what it views as restrictions on passage imposed by China and other claimants.

The Scarborough Shoal is a significant source of tension in the South China Sea, a crucial waterway for global commerce. This week, actions by Chinese vessels in the area also resulted in a collision, according to Manila, the first such incident known in the area. The Philippine coast guard reported that the Chinese vessels aimed to "completely block" them from approaching the shoal. China's coast guard stated they had taken "necessary measures" to expel Philippine vessels from the waters.

In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled against the legal basis of China's claims, based on its historical maps. However, China does not recognize this decision.