High Seas Tensions: U.S. Destroyer and China Clash Near Scarborough Shoal

On Wednesday, the Chinese military announced it had closely monitored and subsequently driven off a U.S. destroyer navigating near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy, however, maintained that its actions were consistent with international law, underscoring the right to freedom of navigation.

The USS Higgins' voyage marked the first U.S. military presence in these waters in over six years, emerging on the heels of the Philippines alleging 'dangerous manoeuvres' by Chinese vessels. While China claims the incident undermines its sovereignty, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to lawful maritime operations.

This confrontation highlights the ongoing tensions in the resource-rich and strategically vital South China Sea, where geopolitical frictions persist despite international rulings that challenge China's expansive territorial claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)