The latest tensions in the South China Sea highlight the fragile state of maritime security in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, as the United States and China traded sharp words over a high-stakes encounter near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
In a rare sequence of events, a US Navy destroyer conducted a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) inside the shoal’s waters. At the same time, Chinese forces not only moved to intercept it but also ended up colliding with their vessels in pursuit of a Philippine ship.
What is the latest trigger for the Scarborough Shoal?
The US Navy’s USS Higgins became the first known American warship in at least six years to operate so close to the Scarborough Shoal. The move came barely 24 hours after the Philippines accused China of “dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference” during a supply mission to the area.
Manila reported that two Chinese ships collided while trying to block a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, an incident that drew immediate criticism from Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
The collision between the PLA Navy Ship, and the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel captured by the Philippines Coast Guard. Image Courtesy: Facebook/WPSTransparencyOffice
China’s Southern Theatre Command claimed that the USS Higgins “illegally entered” its territorial waters around Huangyan Island, Beijing’s name for the shoal, without prior approval.
How did each stakeholder react to the latest conflict?
The Chinese statement accused Washington of violating sovereignty, undermining peace, and breaking international norms. The US Seventh Fleet rejected these claims outright, calling China’s version “false” and asserting that the destroyer acted “consistent with international law.”
The Pentagon’s position aligns with the long-standing US policy of challenging excessive maritime claims by conducting FONOPs, reinforcing the principle that no nation can unilaterally restrict navigation rights in international waters.
The Higgins mission underscores Washington’s determination to counter China’s expansive nine-dash line claim, which covers almost the entire South China Sea and overlaps with the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of multiple Southeast Asian nations.
What is the Scarborough Shoal conflict in South China Sea?
Scarborough Shoal remains one of the most hotly contested maritime flashpoints. Its strategic location astride key sea lanes makes it central to both economic and military calculations, with over $3 trillion worth of shipborne trade passing through the South China Sea annually.
For the Philippines, the shoal is a symbol of its sovereignty battle against Beijing’s assertiveness. For China, it is part of its “historic rights” narrative, a position firmly rejected by the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, which Beijing refuses to recognise.
Beyond the US-China confrontation, the week’s events showcased a worrying escalation of Chinese tactics against Philippine vessels. The collision between two Chinese ships, reportedly while both were attempting to block Manila’s access, marked a rare and embarrassing moment for Beijing’s maritime forces.
The Philippine Coast Guard described the incident as a “learning experience” for China, warning that such risky manoeuvres increase the danger of accidental escalation.
Adding to the tension, a Chinese fighter jet reportedly flew within 152 metres of a Philippine surveillance aircraft, performing aggressive manoeuvres for nearly 20 minutes. Such aerial intimidation raises the risk of a mid-air incident, reminiscent of past US-China close encounters.
What is the diplomatic fallout of the latest skirmish?
The broader diplomatic fallout was swift. Australia’s embassy in Manila condemned the “dangerous and unprofessional conduct” of Chinese vessels, while Japan reiterated its opposition to any actions that escalate tensions. These statements reflect a growing regional consensus that China’s coercive behaviour must be checked to preserve stability.
The stakes are especially high given the Philippines’ mutual defence treaty with the United States, signed in 1951. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned that the killing of a Filipino in the South China Sea would come “very, very close” to an act of war, language that signals the potential for US military involvement if hostilities spiral out of control.
What are the strategic implications of the conflict?
In strategic terms, the Scarborough Shoal episode underscores three key realities. The US is intensifying its operational presence in contested waters to uphold the principle of open seas.
China remains willing to employ high-risk tactics to assert its maritime claims, even at the cost of colliding with its vessels. Regional allies are increasingly vocal in supporting the rules-based order, signalling a possible tightening of security coordination.
As the South China Sea becomes the stage for increasingly frequent and risky confrontations, the latest incident is a reminder that maritime disputes are no longer theoretical exercises in diplomacy. They are playing out in real time, with warships, coast guards, and fighter jets all in dangerously proximity.
The next collision may not be between two Chinese vessels, and that possibility should worry everyone from Manila to Washington.
(Updates Throughout)