China’s navy says it expelled a U.S. Navy destroyer from its territorial waters in the South China Sea, accusing Washington of violating its sovereignty. The U.S., however, rejected the claim, insisting the operation was lawful under international law.
According to the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, the USS Higgins “illegally intruded” into waters around Scarborough Shoal without permission and was tracked and warned off. “The U.S. military’s actions seriously infringed upon China’s sovereignty and security,” the PLA said, adding that it undermined peace and stability in the region.
The U.S. Navy countered that the mission was a lawful “freedom of navigation” operation challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China and Taiwan. It said the Higgins exited what it called an “excessive maritime claim area” after completing the operation.
“China’s statement about this mission is false,” U.S. Seventh Fleet spokesperson Lt. Sarah Merrill told Bloomberg, adding, “Nothing China says otherwise will deter us.”
The South China Sea remains a flashpoint between Washington and Beijing. China’s sweeping territorial claims overlap with those of neighbors such as the Philippines, and U.S. naval patrols often draw sharp responses from Beijing.
Tensions flared further on Monday when two Chinese vessels collided after one chased a Philippine Coast Guard ship near Scarborough Shoal. Beijing blamed Manila for the incident.
Despite the maritime friction, broader U.S.-China ties have shown signs of stabilization, with both sides recently extending a trade truce by 90 days, pushing the deadline into early November.
