The United States has deployed two warships to the disputed South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal. This follows a collision between Chinese navy and coast guard ships while they attempted to drive away a smaller Philippine vessel.

A US Navy guided-missile destroyer performed a so-called Freedom of Navigation operation (FONOP) near disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, just two days after two Chinese military vessels collided while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard ship in nearby waters.

A Chinese Navy vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard ship recently collided in the South China Sea while engaging with a Philippines Coast Guard vessel. The incident occurred on Aug. 11 and was captured on video by personnel aboard the Philippines Coast Guard vessel the BRP Suluan.