China Intercepts Dutch Frigate in South China Sea, Calls Entry Illegal

China’s People’s Liberation Army announced that a Dutch frigate, the HNLMS De Ruyter, was intercepted in the South China Sea near the disputed Spratly Islands. Beijing said the warship entered waters it calls the "Shisha Islands" illegally and that a Dutch helicopter repeatedly violated Chinese airspace. The Chinese south‑front command reported issuing radio warnings followed by electronic interference before forcing the vessel to leave the area.

The Dutch navy has not yet released an official comment. The incident adds to long‑standing sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, where China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia also claim overlapping rights to the resource‑rich waters.