World · Malaysia Bureau
China deploys naval forces to shadow US warship in Spratlys
Beijing's military command accused a US Navy vessel of illegally entering disputed waters near Sabina Shoal without authorization. The incident highlights escalating tensions in one of Asia's most contested maritime regions.
LSN Malaysia ·
China's Southern Theatre Command said the USS Charleston transited waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands early Tuesday, asserting the passage occurred without Beijing's permission and constituted an unlawful intrusion into Chinese-claimed territory.
The command did not specify the nature of the naval response, though such incidents typically prompt Chinese vessels to monitor and track transiting foreign warships through the disputed archipelago.
The Spratly Islands remain one of the world's most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints, with overlapping territorial claims from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. China has constructed artificial islands and military installations throughout the region, significantly expanding its physical presence since 2013.
The United States has maintained a policy of conducting regular freedom of navigation operations in international waters, arguing that such passages affirm navigational rights under international law. Beijing contests these characterizations, viewing the operations as provocative incursions into its sovereign domain.
Tuesday's encounter represents the latest in a series of close encounters between Chinese and American military assets in Southeast Asian waters, underscoring persistent disagreements over maritime jurisdiction and international law interpretations in the region.