China has accused the United States of violating its territorial waters in the South China Sea, saying a US Navy destroyer entered the area without permission.
According to Senior Capt. He Tiecheng, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, the USS Higgins approached Huangyan Island — also known as Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc — without authorization from Beijing. He said Chinese naval forces tracked, monitored, warned and ordered the vessel to leave in line with relevant laws and regulations.
He described the move as a breach of China’s sovereignty and security, adding that it undermined regional stability and contravened international law. He stated that the PLA Southern Theater Command maintains high readiness to safeguard national interests in the area.
The incident comes as Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported the presence of 14 PLA aircraft and six PLA Navy vessels around the island on the same day.