A conflict between the US and China "would cost countless lives and produce an economic shock magnitudes larger than that caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine", a leading expert has claimed.
The two countries narrowly avoided a collision on Saturday after the Pentagon released footage of a Chinese ship sharply cutting across the path of an American destroyer, forcing the US vessel to slow down.
The Chinese navy ship executed an "unsafe" manoeuvre in the Taiwan after crossing in front of an American destroyer.
The American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal engaged in a "freedom of navigation" transit through the strait, situated between Taiwan and mainland China.
It promoted National Security Council spokesman John Kirby to claim China's military is showing an "increasing level of aggressiveness" after the Indo-Pacific Command said the actions violated maritime rules of safe passage in international water.
And during a speech yesterday, China's defence minister General Li Shangfu said a war with the US would be an "unbearable disaster" and claimed "some countries" were intensifying an arms race in Asia.
This has led to tensions between the US and China being "at their worst for more than half a century", according to Professor of history and politics of modern China at the University of Oxford, Rana Mitter.
He revealed: "Tensions between the US and China are at their worst for more than half a century, as the two countries become closer in their military capabilities in the Pacific region."
Professor Mitter revealed both China and the US have attempted to try and deescalate the tensions behind-the-scenes but the recent war of words has failed to calm things down.
He added: "Both Washington and Beijing have made some behind-the-scenes moves to calm things down, but more work is needed."
The expert warned that a potential conflict between China and the US would lead to "countless lives" being lost and the economic shock would be more devastating than Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"A conflict in the Greater China region would not only cost countless lives but produce an economic shock which would be magnitudes larger than that caused by Russia's invasions of Ukraine", Professor Mitten said.
"Both the US and China are likely to try and create partnerships: the US will rely on formal allies such as Japan, whereas China is likely to draw on its immense economic influence in the region to make its point", he added.
The Chinese navy ship executed an "unsafe" manoeuvre in the Taiwan on Saturday after crossing in front of an American destroyer.
However, 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 through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the combined U.S.-Canadian commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Indo-Pacific Command said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin defended the manoeuvre, saying it was undertaken “in accordance with the law.”
“China’s military actions are completely justified, lawful, safe and professional,” he told reporters in Beijing.
“It is the U.S. that should deeply reflect upon itself and correct the wrongdoings.”
The US recently accused China of performing an “unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre” in the air, saying a Chinese J-16 fighter jet late last month flew directly in front of the nose of a US Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.
The near-misses have raised concerns of a possible escalation between the two countries’ militaries at a time when tensions in the region are already high.
There are likely to be more near-misses in the sea as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
However both will want to avoid an incident which could trigger a devastating response.
Professor Mitten said: "There will likely be more near-misses in the seas, but both sides are likely to be cautious to avoid an incident that could escalate."
