In the latest display of aggression from the Chinese military, a Chinese warship engaged in what the U.S. military described as an “unsafe maritime interaction” by crossing the bow of an American warship at a distance of 150 yards. This incident took place in the Taiwan Strait, an international waterway between China and Taiwan, during a transit by the American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal.
According to officials, the Chinese warship, identified as PLA (N) LUYANG III DDG 132, executed maneuvers in a dangerous manner near the USS Chung-Hoon. It overtook the American ship on its port side and crossed its bow in close proximity. The USS Chung-Hoon had to slow down and alter its course to avoid a collision. The Chinese warship then passed in front of the American warship at a distance of 2,000 yards and remained in close proximity to its port bow. The actions of the Chinese warship violated the “Rules of the Road” for safe passage in international waters.
Video footage captured by journalists aboard the HMCS Montreal showed the Chinese warship moving across the path of the American ship. This incident comes as China continues to engage in provocative behavior in the region, prompting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific. He stated that the U.S. would support its allies and partners in defending themselves against coercion and bullying.
China’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu also criticized what he referred to as “bullying” and “double standards” by a certain country, likely referring to the U.S. He emphasized the need for mutual respect and denounced a resurgent cold war mentality that poses increased security risks.
U.S. officials believe that these incidents of harassment by Chinese aircraft and warships are coordinated and growing in frequency. A Chinese fighter jet previously crossed the path of an American reconnaissance plane in the South China Sea, causing the American plane to pass through the Chinese aircraft’s wake. The U.S. has been advocating for substantive discussions with China to avoid misunderstandings or escalations that could lead to a crisis.
This recent incident follows a similar occurrence in December 2022, when a Chinese fighter pilot executed an unsafe maneuver within 10 feet of a U.S. aircraft.