Tensions have risen in the South China Sea after China's military deployed forces to monitor a US warship that entered waters near a disputed shoal.
What happened
China's Southern Theatre Command accused the USS Charleston of illegally intruding into waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands without Chinese government approval. The Chinese military claimed the US action infringed upon China's sovereign rights and interests, and jeopardized maritime security.
In response, China's navy dispatched forces to track and monitor the US ship. The US Navy has not commented on the incident, but the Philippines' military spokesperson stated that the US ship did not trespass into Chinese territory, and that no nation had the authority to require prior permission for lawful transit through international waters.
In a separate incident, Taiwan's Coast Guard reported a standoff with a Chinese Coast Guard ship near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. The Chinese ship entered restricted waters, prompting the Taiwanese Coast Guard to dispatch a ship to warn it away.
