Both superpowers have increased their military presence in the region, with US Navy carryign out a 'freedom of navigation' operation

16:00, Wed, Jun 4, 2025 | UPDATED: 16:17, Wed, Jun 4, 2025

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The US Navy has confirmed it sent a warship to conduct operations in the South China Sea and challenge restrictions set by China in the region.

A destroyer has performed a 'freedom of navigation' operation near the Spratly Islands, a cluster of disputed islands off the coast of the Philippines, weeks after Chinese bombers were reported to be in the vicinity.

The operation comes as tensions continue to rise in the Indo-Pacific region which has led the US military to ramp up its presence on air, land and sea.

A highly-contested area with several nations laying claim to international waters and islands, the South China Sea is a global military hotspot.

The US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been pictured in the region since early May as part of what is likely its final overseas deployment before a scheduled retirement in 2026.

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The US Seventh Fleet, based in the region, also confirmed to Newsweek that the destroyer USS Dewey performed navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, contested by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

"This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized by international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam," a spokesman said.

Images released by the US Navy appear to show the Dewey's sister ship, the USS Benfold, also operating at an undisclosed location in the region.

US President Donald Trump

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The Benfold warship may have encountered the Chinese navy in the waters as one of the images reportedly shows an electronics technician with a Chinese name translating "incoming bridge-to-bridge voice communications" in the pilothouse of the Benfold.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied the Asian superpower has issues with freedom of navigation in the sea, adding China has always obeyed international law.

The Ministry said: "On the South China Sea, there has never been any problem with regard to freedom of navigation and overflight there.

"China has always been committed to working with countries concerned to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, while safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations."

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea details that "ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through [a] territorial sea." The convention adds this must be done in a "continuous and expeditious" manner.