China says it expelled Dutch frigate from South China Sea

Thursday 28 May 2026 - 07:00

China’s military announced on Wednesday that it deployed naval and air forces to drive away a Dutch frigate operating in disputed waters of the South China Sea, escalating tensions in a region already marked by growing geopolitical rivalry.

According to a statement released by Chinese military authorities, the frigate De Ruyter entered waters claimed by China near the Paracel Islands. Beijing said its forces responded in accordance with national laws and military procedures by issuing warnings and carrying out electronic countermeasures to force the vessel to leave the area.

Chinese officials described the incident as a “serious violation” of the country’s sovereignty and security interests. Authorities also accused the Dutch warship of repeatedly deploying its onboard helicopter, which Beijing claimed entered Chinese airspace without authorization.

The Paracel Islands remain one of the most disputed territories in the South China Sea. Although China has controlled the archipelago since a naval confrontation with Vietnam in 1974, several neighboring countries continue to contest Beijing’s claims in the region.

The South China Sea has become a strategic hotspot in recent years, with overlapping territorial claims involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian nations. International naval missions conducted by Western countries are often viewed by Beijing as challenges to its authority in the area.

The Netherlands has not immediately issued an official response regarding the incident. However, European countries and the United States have increasingly increased their naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region in support of freedom of navigation and international maritime law.

The latest confrontation highlights the fragile security situation in the South China Sea, where military activities and territorial disputes continue to raise concerns among regional and global powers.