China claims Dutch frigate entered disputed Paracel Islands, forces vessel away

China’s armed forces claim they forced a Dutch frigate, reportedly the HNLMS De Ruyter, to leave waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea after it allegedly entered the area “illegally.” Beijing also accused the vessel of deploying helicopters into what it considers Chinese airspace.

China deployed naval and air force units to drive away the frigate. “We strongly oppose this and urge the Dutch side to immediately stop these infringing and provocative actions,” a military spokesperson said in a statement.

Maritime tracking data showed the vessel two days ago near the Philippine coast. While Beijing refers to the disputed waters as the South China Sea, the Philippines calls the area the West Philippine Sea. Tensions between China and neighboring states over territorial claims in the region have intensified in recent years.

This is not the first confrontation between Chinese forces and a Dutch naval vessel. Two years ago, the HNLMS Tromp was repeatedly shadowed by Chinese fighter jets in the East China Sea. The Dutch Ministry of Defense said a “potentially unsafe situation” developed after an NH-90 helicopter operating from the ship was approached by two Chinese fighter aircraft and a helicopter.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense deploys a naval vessel on a global mission every other year. The air defense and command frigate De Ruyter set sail in early April for a five-month deployment, aimed at supporting freedom of navigation and strengthening diplomatic and military ties with partner countries along the route.

Training exercises are also carried out during the voyage. During the earlier incident, the Tromp was operating in the East China Sea as part of a UN mission monitoring sanctions against North Korea.