The United States has temporarily deployed two warships near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, following a recent collision between Chinese and Philippine ships. The USS Higgins and USS Cincinnati sailed about 30 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, where a Chinese navy destroyer and coastguard ship collided with a Philippine coastguard vessel on Monday.
China claims ownership of Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in the South China Sea, while the Philippines also has overlapping claims. Other countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have their own interests in the disputed waters.
US Navy vessels regularly conduct “freedom-of-navigation” patrols to challenge China’s restrictions and demand for entry notifications in the area. These actions have led to tense confrontations between US warships and aircraft and Chinese forces.
The deployment comes after Washington’s ambassador to Manila condemned “reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel.” The Philippines, a former US colony, is considered one of Washington’s oldest treaty allies in Asia, and the US has promised to defend it if Filipino forces come under attack.
On Monday, a Chinese coastguard ship accidentally collided with a Philippine coastguard vessel while trying to block and drive away another smaller vessel. Video footage showed the Chinese coastguard ship blasting its water cannon before colliding with the fast-turning Chinese navy ship, which sustained deep dents and gushes on its hull.
Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have expressed alarm over the collision, warning of the need for de-escalation and respect for international law. The incident has highlighted the dangers of unprofessional conduct in the busy South China Sea waters.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/13/us-warships-south-china-sea