US Navy ship spotted near Scarborough Shoal during China Coast Guard patrol

A U.S. Navy ship, the USNS Victorious, was spotted near the Philippines while the China Coast Guard conducted a patrol around Scarborough Shoal. The U.S. ship was outside the country's 12-nautical mile territorial sea. The Chinese patrol included three large Coast Guard ships and six militia vessels. The USNS Victorious has been in the area before, last seen in September. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Tensions have existed since a 2012 standoff between the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal.