Tensions escalated in the South China Sea as Beijing claimed to have intercepted a US Destroyer it accused of “trespassing” in the region.

The USS Halsey reportedly sailed near Huangyan Island, known as the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory claimed by China.

China’s Southern Theatre Command tracked and monitored the US ship, warning it to leave, citing violations of sovereignty and security, the Daily Express reported.

The incident sparked accusations from China that the US was a “security risk creator” and accused it of attempting to “militarize” the region.

The South China Sea, crucial for shipping routes and with rich natural resources, is also claimed by Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, in addition to China.

Written by B.C. Begley