MANILA, Aug 13: The U.S. deployed two warships near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, following a collision between Chinese navy and coast guard vessels as they tried to block a smaller Philippine ship.
The USS Higgins and USS Cincinnati were monitored by a Chinese warship but faced no incident. The clash, caught on video, showed aggressive Chinese maneuvers and damage to both Chinese vessels. The Philippines condemned the actions as dangerous, while the U.S., Japan, Australia, and New Zealand expressed alarm.
The shoal, a rich fishing ground, is claimed by multiple nations, including China and the Philippines. Philippine officials warned of growing risks from China’s unprofessional conduct and called for adherence to international law. A Chinese fighter jet also flew dangerously close to a Philippine surveillance aircraft during the heightened tensions. (AP)
