U.S. Sends Two Warships Near Scarborough Shoal After Chinese Ship Collision

 Two U.S. naval vessels patrolled near the disputed Scarborough Shoal after a collision between Chinese ships, intensifying South China Sea tensions.

USS Higgins

The United States has sent two naval vessels to waters near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea following a collision between Chinese ships. In early August 2025, the USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke–class guided-missile destroyer, and the USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, operated about 30 nautical miles from the shoal, an area claimed by several nations. The patrol came days after footage showed two Chinese vessels colliding while attempting to block a smaller Philippine ship, raising fresh concerns over maritime confrontations.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said there were no incidents involving the U.S. vessels during the operation, citing both Philippine and U.S. monitoring. China’s navy claimed it had “expelled” the USS Higgins, accusing Washington of violating its sovereignty. The U.S. rejected this, asserting its operations were lawful under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and part of its ongoing freedom-of-navigation policy.

Tensions further escalated when, on August 13, a Chinese fighter jet intercepted a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft over the shoal, reportedly flying dangerously close for about 20 minutes. Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting China’s expansive claims, Beijing maintains patrols in the area. The latest U.S. deployment signals Washington’s determination to challenge what it views as excessive maritime claims and to uphold navigational rights in these contested waters.