On October 20, 2026, China confirmed the deployment of naval forces to monitor a US warship near the Sabina Shoal, a point of contention in the South China Sea. The Chinese military characterized the US vessel's presence as an illegal intrusion into waters claimed by Beijing.
According to the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, the USS Charleston entered these waters without authorization, prompting concerns over maritime security. China views nearly the entirety of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, despite overlapping claims from several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.
The US action infringes upon China’s sovereign rights and interests, jeopardizes maritime security, and is detrimental to regional peace and stability.
Southern Theater Command, China
The US Navy typically conducts operations in these waters under the banner of freedom of navigation, although its last operation in the region occurred over a year ago. The ongoing military activities underscore the complex geopolitical tensions in the area.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions, particularly after a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine boat conducting a refueling mission nearby. The Philippines continues to assert its claims over the Sabina Shoal as part of its broader territorial rights in the Spratly Islands.