World Signal

On August 13, 2025, Chinese military authorities reported that they had tracked and forced the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) to leave waters near Scarborough Shoal—known in China as Huangyan Island—located in the South China Sea. Beijing stated that the ship entered without permission, marking the first recorded U.S. naval maneuver in that specific area for at least six years. According to China’s Southern Theater Command, the presence of the U.S. warship was a serious breach of Chinese sovereignty and a threat to peace and stability in the region. The command vowed to maintain a high state of readiness. The U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet countered that the Higgins (DDG-76) was exercising internationally recognized navigation rights, in line with maritime law, and that the mission reflected Washington’s commitment to keeping sea routes open. American officials added that Beijing’s objections would not alter their course of action. Two da...

On August 11, 2025, near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, two Chinese ships collided while pursuing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel that was escorting aid boats for local fishermen. The exact time of the incident is unclear, but it occurred during the day. The disputed area is known as Bajo de Masinloc by the Philippines and Huangyan Dao by China. Two Chinese vessels attempted to block the Philippine boats delivering aid and used water cannons to drive away the Philippine Coast Guard patrol. During the chase, the smaller Chinese Coast Guard cutter CCG 3104 made a risky maneuver that caused it to crash into a larger Chinese Navy ship bearing hull number 164. The collision severely damaged the smaller cutter’s bow, making the vessel unfit for sailing. The Philippine Coast Guard offered assistance to any injured Chinese crew members, but the Chinese government did not respond or accept help. It remains uncertain whether crew members in the damaged section were rescued before the ...