MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to challenge China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, a US Navy warship sailed near Manila-claimed Scarborough Shoal. Beijing recently imposed a unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea, which also covers the Scarborough Shoal. China has been harvesting giant clams in Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippine government protested. The latest passage of the US Navy near Scarborough Shoal is only its second freedom of navigation operation in the area after January 2018. Doss, however, clarified that Washington operates in the Indo-Pacific region on a daily basis, which includes the disputed South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star May 20, 2019 05:09 UTC