The incident comes days after two Chinese vessels collided, allegedly while pursuing a Philippine patrol ship in the vicinity of the contested Scarborough Shoal.

A US Navy guided-missile destroyer performed a so-called Freedom of Navigation operation (FONOP) near disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, just two days after two Chinese military vessels collided while chasing a Philippine Coast Guard ship in nearby waters.

Australia on Friday launched its largest military exercises with Philippine forces, involving more than 3,600 military personnel in live-fire drills, battle maneuvers and a beach assault at a Philippine town facing the disputed South China Sea,

This comes after a Chinese warship crashed into one of its own country's coast guard vessels as it chased a patrol boat belonging to the Philippines

The Philippines is rejecting blame for the collision between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal earlier this week, an incident that took place as the China Coast Guard vessel involved was chasing a Philippine vessel delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen in the area.

China harasses a U.S. ally after its President says he’d back Taiwan.