South China Sea: Beijing says USS Charleston “illegally entered” waters near Sabina Shoal, as Taiwan and China coast guards trade messages off Pratas

The Southern Theatre Command of China’s army announced on Tuesday, October 20 that the US littoral combat ship USS Charleston “illegally entered”, without approval from the Chinese government, the waters around Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the early hours of the morning. The Chinese Navy sent forces to monitor the ship, a fast Independence-class littoral combat ship with a trimaran hull, according to the Straits Times and Baird Maritime, which carry the statement.

“The US action violates China’s sovereign rights and interests, endangers maritime security and harms regional peace and stability,” the Chinese statement said. “The US side must immediately stop such activities.” The US Navy did not respond immediately. It usually describes such missions as “freedom of navigation operations”, although the last known one in the South China Sea took place more than a year ago.

A spokesperson for the Philippine armed forces replied that the US ship “did not violate ‘Chinese territory’” and that no country has the authority to demand prior permission for “lawful passage through international waters”. In September a Chinese coast guard vessel rammed a Philippine boat on a resupply mission near the same shoal. Manila and Beijing both claim Sabina and the whole of the Spratlys, and the tension has led President Marcos to summon the Chinese ambassador.

“The so-called Republic of China does not exist”

The same day, at the northern edge of the South China Sea, Taiwan’s Coast Guard reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, which Taipei controls. The Taiwanese vessel Taichung was sent to drive it away and the two sides exchanged messages over loudspeakers. The Chinese crew broadcast that “the so-called Republic of China does not exist”, while the Taiwanese replied that “the Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign and independent country”. The standoff continued, according to the Coast Guard.

Pratas lies roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, is guarded only by the Coast Guard and has become a point of constant pressure: a few days earlier Taipei had driven 16 Chinese vessels away from the area. Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu said China has no lawful claim to the waters east of the island. Beijing’s claims in this report are those of the Chinese military as quoted by the outlets above.