Washington, 7 June 2023 (TDI): Earlier this week, the US Indo-Pacific Command reported that during a collaborative operation involving American and Canadian naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese destroyer crossed in front of the USS Chung-Hoon, endangering its path.
The Chinese ship approached as close as 150 yards to the USS Chung-Hoon, which is shorter than the length of the Arleigh Burke-class ship. To prevent a collision, the USS Chung-Hoon stayed on its course but decreased its speed to 10 knots. This information was stated in the official announcement by the US.
US Response
The US authority claims that over the course of the past week, two concerning encounters involving the Chinese military have taken place—one at sea and one in the air. These incidents raise important questions about China’s increasing aggressiveness and its potential implications for regional stability.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, these encounters are not isolated but are indicative of a broader pattern of aggression demonstrated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), specifically in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The interception in the air occurred over the South China Sea, while the maritime incident took place in the Taiwan Strait.
These incidents are part of a worrisome trend that the United States is actively addressing. Secretary Austin recently emphasized this issue at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where he reiterated the U.S. stance on China’s provocative actions. The U.S. government remains committed to engaging with China and conveying the message that these intercepts are completely unacceptable.
In ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions, U.S. officials have engaged in dialogue with their Chinese counterparts. Senior Director for China, Sarah Beran, along with Dan Kritenbrink from the State Department, is currently in Beijing, fostering open lines of communication. While choosing our words carefully, it is important to hold China accountable and seek justification for its actions.
China’s Response
In response to US allegations, China’s MFA spokesperson said that China recognizes and upholds the principle of allowing all nations to exercise their right to navigate and fly over international waters in accordance with international law. However, China strongly opposes any actions that jeopardize its own sovereignty and security under the guise of freedom of navigation and overflight.
It is important to highlight that the issue at hand is not merely about freedom of navigation but rather the assertion of dominance in navigation. This underlying motive is the main source of security risks in maritime and aerial domains.
China has consistently observed the United States dispatching warships and military aircraft to the vicinity of China, encroaching upon its territorial waters and airspace. Such acts often involve close-range reconnaissance missions and ostentatious displays of military strength.
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In the year 2022 alone, the United States conducted over 800 close-in flights with large reconnaissance aircraft to gather intelligence on China. These actions, characterized by the brazen exhibition of military capabilities in an attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations, can be rightly regarded as instances of bullying and intimidation. Regrettably, this behavior constitutes the primary factor contributing to risks concerning security at sea and in the air.
China firmly advocates for peaceful and mutually beneficial cooperation among nations, promoting dialogue and understanding as the path to resolving differences. It is imperative for all parties involved to respect each other’s sovereignty and security concerns, fostering an atmosphere of trust and stability in the international community.
