US releases video showing close call in Taiwan Strait with Chinese destroyer

The United States navy has launched video of what it known as an “unsafe” Chinese manoeuvre within the Taiwan Strait on the weekend, wherein a Chinese navy ship lower sharply throughout the trail of an American destroyer, forcing the US vessel to sluggish to keep away from a collision.

The incident occurred on Saturday because the American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal had been conducting a so-called “freedom of navigation” transit of the strait between Taiwan and mainland China.

China claims the democratic self-governing island of Taiwan as a part of its personal territory, and maintains the strait is a part of its unique financial zone, whereas the US and its allies commonly sail via and fly over the passage to emphasize their rivalry that the waters are worldwide.

In this picture offered by the US Navy, the USS Chung-Hoon observes a Chinese navy ship conduct what it known as an “unsafe Chinese manoeuvre in the Taiwan Strait, on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (AP)

During the Saturday transit, the Chinese guided-missile destroyer overtook the Chung-Hoon on its port side, then veered across its bow at a distance of some 137 metres, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command.

The American destroyer held its course but reduced speed to 10 knots “to keep away from a collision”, the military said.

The video released on Monday shows the Chinese ship cutting across the course of the American one, then straightening out to start sailing in a parallel direction.

The Indo-Pacific Command said the actions violated maritime rules of safe passage in international water.

The Chinese ship did not attempt a similar manoeuvre on the Canadian frigate, which was sailing behind the American destroyer.

“Chung-Hoon and Montreal’s transit via the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the mixed US-Canadian dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Indo-Pacific Command said.

“The US navy flies, sails, and operates safely and responsibly wherever worldwide regulation permits.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin defended the manoeuvre, saying it was undertaken “in accordance with the regulation”.

China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeman Wang Wenbin (China Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin defended the manoeuvre, saying it was undertaken “in accordance with the regulation” — FILE.. (China Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

“China’s navy actions are fully justified, lawful, protected {and professional},” he told reporters in Beijing.

“It is the US that ought to deeply replicate upon itself and proper the wrongdoings.”

The close calls have raised concerns of a possible accident that could lead to an escalation between the two countries’ militaries at a time when tensions in the region are already high.

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu salutes before delivering his speech on the last day of the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s annual defence and security forum, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (AP)

Li on Sunday suggested that the US and its allies have created the danger with their patrols, and was intent on provoking China.

“The finest manner is for the nations, particularly the naval vessels and fighter jets of nations, to not do closing actions round different nations’ territories,” he said through an interpreter.

“What’s the purpose of going there? In China we all the time say, ‘Mind your personal business.'”

Austin had invited Li to talk on the sidelines of the conference; Li refused.