The United States deployed two warships, the USS Higgins (a guided-missile destroyer) and USS Cincinnati (a littoral combat ship), to the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, just two days after a dramatic collision between Chinese navy and coast guard vessels attempting to block a Philippine ship. The incident, captured on video, has heightened tensions in the region and drawn condemnation from Western and Asian nations.

The collision occurred on Monday when a Chinese navy destroyer and a coast guard ship collided while trying to drive away the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Suluan, located 10.5 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, a resource-rich atoll claimed by both China and the Philippines, alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Video footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the Chinese coast guard ship using a powerful water cannon before its bow was severely damaged in the collision with the navy destroyer, which sustained deep dents and hull gashes.

The U.S. deployment, shadowed by a Chinese navy ship 30 nautical miles from the shoal, was part of its ongoing freedom of navigation operations to challenge China’s claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, which a 2016 international arbitral tribunal ruled invalid. No untoward incidents were reported during the U.S. patrol, according to Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, citing U.S. officials and a Philippine surveillance flight. China’s military, however, claimed it “drove away” the USS Higgins, labeling its presence a violation of sovereignty.

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U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson condemned China’s “reckless action” against the Philippine vessel, reinforcing Washington’s commitment to its oldest Asian treaty ally. The U.S. has repeatedly affirmed its obligation to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces face an armed attack in the South China Sea. Japan, Australia, and New Zealand also expressed alarm, with Japan’s Ambassador Endo Kazuya emphasizing the need for rule of law and Australia calling for de-escalation and respect for international norms.

Adding to the tension, a Chinese fighter jet conducted dangerous maneuvers on Wednesday, flying as close as 200 feet above a Philippine Coast Guard plane on a surveillance mission over Scarborough Shoal, carrying journalists. Tarriela described the 20-minute encounter as a risky escalation, underscoring China’s failure to adhere to anti-collision regulations. “This is a learning experience for the People’s Republic of China,” he stated, urging an end to dangerous maneuvers to prevent miscalculations that could lead to further incidents.

The South China Sea, a critical global trade route handling over $3 trillion in annual commerce, remains a flashpoint for territorial disputes. The latest incident, coupled with China’s increasing use of naval forces in confrontations, signals a hardening stance, raising concerns about potential escalation in the region.

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