China Says It Expelled US Destroyer Near Scarborough Shoal
China’s military announced on Wednesday that it had “driven away” a United States Navy destroyer that sailed close to the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident marks the first publicly known US military operation within the shoal’s waters in at least six years, heightening tensions in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.
The Scarborough Shoal, a small but strategically significant atoll, has long been at the center of disputes between China and the Philippines. Its surrounding waters are rich in fish stocks and are believed to contain potential oil and gas reserves. The area also lies in a crucial shipping route, with over $3 trillion worth of trade passing through the South China Sea annually.
Chinese Military Accuses US of Violating Sovereignty
In a statement, China’s Southern Theatre Command claimed that the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins entered the shoal’s waters “without the approval of the Chinese government.” The command accused the United States of “seriously violating China’s sovereignty and security” and “severely undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
The Chinese military further vowed to maintain “high alert at all times” and pledged to take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial claims. Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, based on what it calls historical rights, despite overlapping claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
US Navy Defends Operation as Legal and Necessary
Responding to the Chinese statement, the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet confirmed the Higgins had conducted a “freedom of navigation” operation near Scarborough Shoal. It said the mission was “consistent with international law” and was intended to challenge what Washington sees as unlawful restrictions imposed by China and other claimants.
“The United States is defending its right to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows,” the Seventh Fleet said in an emailed statement. “Nothing China says otherwise will deter us.”
The US regularly undertakes such operations across the South China Sea to assert navigational rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which China has ratified but often interprets in ways other nations dispute.
Escalating Tensions with the Philippines
The operation comes just one day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of engaging in “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” during a supply mission to its outposts near the shoal. The Philippine government reported that two Chinese vessels collided during the encounter — the first known collision in the area — underscoring the potential for accidents to trigger broader conflicts.
China’s coast guard later said it had taken “necessary measures” to expel Philippine vessels from the waters. Manila has repeatedly cited the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, refuses to recognize that legally binding decision.
Strategic Importance of Scarborough Shoal
Scarborough Shoal sits about 220 kilometers west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and around 800 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island. Control of the shoal offers strategic military advantages and access to abundant marine resources.
For China, the shoal represents a key foothold in the South China Sea, reinforcing its “nine-dash line” claim. For the Philippines, it is an integral part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under UNCLOS. The US, while not a claimant, views unrestricted access to these waters as vital for global trade and regional security.
Outlook: Rising Risk of Maritime Confrontation
The latest confrontation underscores a growing pattern of brinkmanship in the South China Sea, where military, coast guard, and civilian vessels from rival nations often operate in close proximity. Analysts warn that without clear communication channels and adherence to international law, even minor incidents could escalate into more serious conflicts.
As China continues to fortify its presence and the US steps up its patrols, Scarborough Shoal is likely to remain a flashpoint. The Philippines, caught between its security alliance with Washington and its economic ties with Beijing, faces increasing pressure to navigate a delicate diplomatic balance.