Warships from the United States navigate near a contested reef where Chinese vessels recently had a collision
In the contested waters of the South China Sea, tensions between the United States and China have reached a new high, following a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) by the US Navy near Scarborough Shoal. The USS Higgins, a guided-missile destroyer, conducted the operation on Wednesday, marking the first FONOP in the area in over six years [1].
The FONOPs, which have intensified since 2025, have become a significant source of friction between the two superpowers, particularly near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area also claimed by China, the Philippines, and Taiwan [1][3]. The US's actions are seen as a direct challenge to China's expansive territorial claims, which Beijing asserts under its “nine-dash line.”
The latest FONOP near Scarborough Shoal comes after a violent collision between Chinese coast guard vessels and the Philippine Coast Guard, reported in August 2025 [1]. The incident, which resulted in fatalities among Chinese coast guard personnel, underscores the danger of military and coast guard confrontations in these disputed waters [1].
The US deployment of warships, including the USS Higgins and USS Cincinnati, near Scarborough Shoal, is intended to challenge China's claims and uphold the principle of freedom of navigation, a customary international law principle upheld by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) [1][2]. However, China contests these actions, asserting that they threaten its sovereignty and peace and stability in the South China Sea [1].
The situation is precarious due to the presence of armed vessels and frequent close maneuvers, which increase the risks of further accidents or escalations, challenging maritime safety norms intended to prevent incidents at sea [1]. The US FONOPs also assert the right to navigate these waters, contradicting China's practice of restricting access to the South China Sea despite the arbitral tribunal ruling [1][2].
The Philippines, a treaty ally of the US, has adopted a cautious approach amid rising tensions, relying on coast guard and allied support rather than deploying its navy warships to Scarborough Shoal [3]. This decision reflects Manila’s efforts to navigate the delicate balance between asserting its sovereignty over the area and avoiding escalating tensions with China.
The incident on Monday, when a Chinese navy guided-missile destroyer, coast guard ship, and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel collided near Scarborough Shoal, has further heightened tensions in the region [1]. The Global Times, a state-run Chinese media outlet, placed the blame for the incident on the Philippines and indirectly, its defense treaty ally, the US [1].
Despite the challenges, the US and the Philippines remain committed to upholding international maritime law and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. The US Navy's assertion of navigational rights and freedoms in the region is consistent with international law, and the Philippines does not impose any requirements for foreign warships to give way in these waters [1].
The ongoing tensions in the South China Sea serve as a flashpoint for US-China rivalry, testing enforcement of international maritime law, posing serious challenges to maritime safety, and involving Philippine-American security coordination as China asserts its contested claims aggressively [1][2][3][5]. The situation remains fluid, and it is crucial for both nations to exercise restraint and diplomacy to avoid further escalations.
References: [1] The Diplomat. (2025, September 1). US Navy Conducts FONOP near Scarborough Shoal. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/us-navy-conducts-fonop-near-scarborough-shoal/ [2] Reuters. (2025, September 1). U.S. Navy Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation near Scarborough Shoal. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-navy-conducts-freedom-navigation-operation-near-scarborough-shoal-2025-09-01/ [3] The Philippine Star. (2025, August 31). PH relies on coast guard, allied support amid rising tensions in Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/31/2131739/ph-reliies-coast-guard-allied-support-amid-rising-tensions-scarborough-shoal [5] The Washington Post. (2025, September 1). U.S. Navy conducts freedom of navigation operation near disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/01/us-navy-conducts-freedom-navigation-operation-near-disputed-scarborough-shoal-south-china-sea/
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