China’s military says it drove away a Dutch frigate operating in the South China Sea. In a statement, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command says the PLA opposes what it describes as “infringing and provocative acts,” and urges the Netherlands to stop such actions immediately. The statement presents the encounter as an operational response by Chinese forces.
The reported incident sits within ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple countries conduct naval activities and disputes persist over maritime rights and access. China frequently characterises foreign vessel operations in the area as unlawful or provocative, while other governments generally argue their deployments are lawful under international law.
The available reports focus on China’s account of the interaction and its call for the Dutch side to cease operations. No details from the Dutch side are included in the provided material, and the specific location, timing, and the exact actions taken by both sides are not described.
