The U.S. 7th Fleet rejected as “false” a claim by China that Chinese forces drove a U.S. destroyer away from a contested atoll in the South China Sea.

The United States has deployed two warships to the disputed South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal. This follows a collision between Chinese navy and coast guard ships while they attempted to drive away a smaller Philippine vessel.

American and Chinese naval vessels clashed near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Wednesday, escalating tensions in the disputed waters, a Navy spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation.