The United States has sent two naval warships to the South China Sea in response to a collision involving Chinese naval and coast guard vessels and a smaller Philippine coast guard ship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The incident, captured on video, has raised concerns among several Western and Asian nations over escalating tensions in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
The collision occurred Monday, about 10.5 nautical miles (19 kilometers) from Scarborough Shoal, when a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard vessel attempted to block the BRP Suluan, a Philippine coast guard ship. Video released by the Philippines shows the coast guard vessel being targeted with a powerful water cannon, followed by the Chinese navy ship making a sharp turn that struck the coast guard vessel. The crash left the Chinese coast guard ship’s bow heavily damaged, while the navy vessel sustained deep dents and long scrapes along its hull.
Scarborough Shoal is claimed by both China and the Philippines, with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also asserting overlapping claims in the broader South China Sea. The atoll, known for its rich fishing grounds, has been a frequent flashpoint for confrontations between Chinese and Philippine forces in recent years.
In a show of support for its oldest treaty ally in Asia, the U.S. deployed the USS Higgins, a guided-missile destroyer, and the USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, to waters about 30 nautical miles (55 kilometers) from the shoal. According to Philippine coast guard officials, the vessels were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship but no further incidents were reported.
Washington’s ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, condemned what she described as “reckless” Chinese actions against a Philippine vessel. Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the U.S. has pledged to defend the Philippines in the event of an armed attack, including incidents in the South China Sea.
The United States has long conducted “freedom of navigation” operations in the region to challenge Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims and its requirement for prior entry notification. China has routinely protested these patrols, and its forces have had numerous close encounters with U.S. ships and aircraft operating in international waters and airspace.
Japan, Australia, and New Zealand joined the Philippines and the U.S. in voicing alarm over Monday’s collision. Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law and avoiding actions that inflame tensions. Australia called the conduct of the Chinese vessels “dangerous and unprofessional,” urging restraint and respect for international law.
Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela described the episode as a “learning experience” for China, noting repeated warnings to cease hazardous maneuvers that risk serious miscalculations. Hours after the incident, tensions escalated further when a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 500 feet (152 meters) to a Philippine coast guard aircraft on a surveillance mission. For roughly 20 minutes, the jet engaged in aggressive maneuvers, at times passing just 200 feet (61 meters) overhead.
The collision and subsequent aerial confrontation underscore the volatile nature of the South China Sea dispute, where competing claims, strategic military deployments, and high-stakes encounters leave little margin for error.
