U.S. Navy Conducts Operation in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea

• The U.S. conducted a freedom of navigation operation near Scarborough Reef.
• Chinese military accused the U.S. of violating their waters.
• The presence of Chinese ships was cited as a reason for the presence of U.S. Navy vessels.

On August 14, 2025, the American destroyer USS Higgins and the small warship USS Cincinnati conducted a freedom of navigation operation near Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea. This incident occurred two days after the interception of two Chinese military ships that were pursuing a vessel near the Philippine coastal defense.

Chinese military accused the U.S. of violating their territorial waters, while representatives of the U.S. Navy stated that their actions were lawful under international law. USS Higgins stated that "it affirms navigational rights and freedoms" in this zone.

This was the first such incident in the last six years near Scarborough Reef. China has maintained control over this reef since 2012. According to international law, foreign military vessels have the right to "innocent passage" through these waters without prior notification, which, according to a U.S. Navy representative, China does not adhere to.

Meanwhile, the situation in the region continues to escalate due to China's expansion of its territorial claims in the South China Sea. In response to these actions, the Philippines have activated their military presence and began inviting journalists for documentation of the situation, which indicates the tension between the nations.

Tags: USA/China/Politics