China says it ‘drove away’ U.S. warship near the disputed Scarborough Shoal

China says it warned and expelled the U.S. destroyer USS Higgins after it sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, accusing Washington of violating its sovereignty and destabilizing the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy rejected Beijing’s claims, saying the mission was a lawful “freedom of navigation” operation. The shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, lies in a region of frequent maritime clashes. The incident comes amid renewed U.S.-China tensions and follows a collision between Chinese vessels during a chase of a Philippine patrol boat, CNBC has reported. The dispute ties into broader security concerns, with the U.S. committed to defending the Philippines under a 1951 mutual defense treaty.