China denounces the entry of a US warship into disputed waters of the South Sea

China protests: US warship in the South China Sea October 20, 2026 The Chinese Army denounced that a US warship entered without authorization into waters near the Sabina Reef, in the disputed South China Sea, and assured that it deployed naval forces to follow and monitor the vessel. According to a statement from the command of the Southern Theater of the People's Liberation Army (PLA, Chinese Army), the littoral combat ship USS Charleston accessed the vicinity of the reef during the early hours of this Tuesday, known in China as Xianbin and located in the Spratly archipelago. China's "undisputed sovereignty" The spokesperson for that military command, Yin Gang, indicated that Chinese forces carried out follow-up and surveillance of the vessel "in accordance with the law and regulations," without mentioning any expulsion or confrontation between the two countries. Yin affirmed that China possesses "undisputed sovereignty" over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters, and accused the United States of violating the sovereign rights and interests of the Asian country and threatening maritime security and regional stability. The spokesperson demanded that Washington immediately put an end to this type of activity and assured that the forces of the Southern Theater command remain on alert to defend national sovereignty and security. Focus of friction between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea The Sabina Reef, known in the Philippines as Escoda, is one of the main focal points of friction between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea, where both countries maintain opposing territorial claims. On September 18, the Chinese Coast Guard accused a Philippine vessel of causing a collision with an Asian patrol vessel in waters near the same reef, after allegedly ignoring several warnings. Other incidents between Chinese and US forces This Tuesday's denunciation is added to other incidents between Chinese and US forces in these waters, such as the one recorded in August 2025, when Beijing claimed to have "expelled" the destroyer USS Higgins from the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal, also disputed with the Philippines. Beijing claims sovereignty over the entirety of the South China Sea, a strategic region through which about 30% of world maritime trade passes and which harbors important fishing grounds and potential hydrocarbon reserves, in contrast to the claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Tensions between China and the Philippines have intensified since the arrival in power of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, who has strengthened his military alliance with the US and adopted a firmer stance in defending his territory. Do not let the algorithm hide the news. If you trust this site for reliable information, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google: click here and check the box or press the DW.com button to always see our verified news according to your preferences. rml (efe, reuters)