PLA Expels US Warship from Territorial Waters Near Huangyan Dao

On Wednesday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) took decisive action to expel the USS Higgins, a United States warship, from its territorial waters close to Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. According to a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, Senior Captain He Tiecheng, the USS Higgins had entered these waters without prior permission from the Chinese government. The PLA mobilized its naval forces to monitor the situation, issue warnings, and ultimately drive the vessel away, citing adherence to legal protocols.

The U.S. military's maneuvers have been deemed a severe infringement on China's sovereignty and a disruption to regional peace and stability, with PLA authorities emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding national security. The spokesperson reiterated that PLA naval troops remain vigilant and prepared to defend China's sovereignty in the region, stating that the country's territorial integrity is paramount.

This incident marks the first reported intrusion by a U.S. naval vessel into the waters surrounding Huangyan Dao since President Donald Trump's second term began. Prior to this, the last transgression by a U.S. warship occurred in May 2019 with the USS Preble. Analyst Bao Yinan suggested that the latest U.S. action signifies its refusal to acknowledge the Chinese government's recent establishment of territorial sea baselines near Huangyan Dao.

Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe emphasized that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not restricted, but he criticized the U.S. for using its so-called operations to impose its own rules while neglecting international agreements like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The U.S. claims to promote freedom of navigation, yet it has not ratified UNCLOS, creating a contradiction in its conduct, according to Zhang.

The U.S. incursion followed a controversial event earlier in the week when Filipino vessels entered Huangyan Dao waters allegedly to deliver supplies, in defiance of warnings from China. The Chinese Coast Guard responded by asserting its authority, stating they acted lawfully to remove the Philippine vessels.

Experts believe that the timing of the U.S. military's actions was intended to support the Philippines in its confrontational stance towards China, further complicating an already tense situation in the South China Sea. Zhang concluded by affirming that through its transparent information release, the PLA demonstrates its command over the circumstances surrounding Huangyan Dao, firmly signalling that it would not tolerate provocations and stands ready to protect its interests.