A Chinese destroyer sent to escort the USS Decatur on a freedom of navigation sail-by in the disputed South China Sea has come dangerously close and forced the US vessel to maneuver to “prevent collision,” the US Navy said.
The encounter between the US and Chinese Navies unfolded on Sunday morning when Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, sailing under the freedom of navigation principle, approached close to one of the Gaven Reefs in the Tizard Bank of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In response, China dispatched a Luyang-class destroyer to escort the American warship away from the disputed area, allegedly behaving in an “unsafe and unprofessional” manner, according to the US version of events.
The Chinese destroyer conducted “a series of increasingly aggressive maneuvers accompanied by warnings for Decatur to depart the area,” Captain Charlie Brown, a US Pacific Fleet Spokesman, said Monday. “The PRC destroyer approached within 45 yards of Decaturs bow, after which Decatur maneuvered to prevent a collision.”
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While Beijing repeatedly claimed the right to protect its interests and territorial claims in the South China Sea and slammed the abuse of the freedom of navigation principle, the Pacific Fleet vowed to continue sailing close to disputed waters.
“US Navy ships and aircraft operate throughout the Indo-Pacific routinely, including in the South China Sea,” said Brown. “As we have for decades, our forces will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”
While Beijing has yet to comment on the latest incident, last Thursday Chinas Defense Ministry slammed Washingtons flyover of B-52 long-range, strategic bombers over the South China Sea, calling the display of force nothing short of “provocative.” The showcase of US air power coincided with the integrated Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF) drill held by the US Navy in the South China Sea on September 27.
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In addition, last week the B-52s also participated in a US-Japan joint military exercise in the East China Sea, where Tokyo and Beijing both claim sovereignty over the group of uninhabited Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. Washington recognizes the islands as part of Japan and has the obligation to protect them under the mutual defense agreement with Tokyo.
The American disregard of Chinas claims over the disputed waters, through which trillions of trade passes through annually, comes amid unprecedented tensions between the worlds largest economies. Just days before tit-for-tat tariffs targeting $260 billion worth of bilaterally exchanged goods came into effect on September 24, Washington imposed sanctions on the Chinese military for buying Russian fighter jets and missiles. Beijing, in turn, urged Washington to either reconsider the move or prepare to bear “consequences.”
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Amid the increasing tensions, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly canceled his planned trip to China previously scheduled for October. Earlier, Beijing reportedly denied USS Wasp to visit Hong Kong and canceled mid-level talks between the two militaries.
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