Calay News
According to US military officials, a Chinese warship approached a US destroyer in the Taiwan Strait in what was deemed an “unsafe manner.” The incident occurred during a joint exercise between the US and Canadian navies in the strait. The Chinese ship cut in front of the US guided-missile destroyer Chung-Hoon, causing it to slow down to avoid a collision. The US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the Chinese ship violated safe passage rules by coming within 150 yards of the American vessel. In response, China accused the United States of deliberately provoking risk in the region.
The Taiwan Strait has been a contentious area, with China claiming Taiwan as its territory while Taiwan’s government maintains its independence. US President Joe Biden has expressed support for Taiwan and pledged to defend it in the event of a Chinese invasion.
This encounter is the latest in a series of close calls between the Chinese and US militaries. In a separate incident in the South China Sea, a Chinese fighter jet performed an aggressive maneuver near a US military plane. China’s embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate comment on the recent incidents.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable dynamic between China and Taiwan to prevent a conflict that could have severe global economic consequences. Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu also expressed the desire for dialogue rather than confrontation with the United States during an Asian security summit, stating that conflict would be an unbearable disaster.
