A dramatic video shows the moment a Chinese navy ship executes an unsafe manoeuvre in the Taiwan Strait, crossing in front of an American destroyer.
The Pentagon released the close-call footage on Monday depicting what it described as an "unsafe" manoeuvre executed by a Chinese navy ship in the Taiwan Strait over the weekend.
The Chinese vessel can be seen abruptly crossing the path of an American destroyer, compelling the US ship to decelerate in order to prevent a collision, according to the US military.
This incident took place on Saturday when the American destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal were engaged in a "freedom of navigation" transit through the strait, situated between Taiwan and mainland China.
China lays claim to Taiwan, a democratic self-governing island, considering it as part of its own territory.
Furthermore, China maintains that the strait falls within its exclusive economic zone.
Conversely, the US and its allies routinely navigate and fly over the area to emphasise their belief that the waters are international.
According to the US Indo-Pacific Command, during the Saturday transit, the Chinese guided-missile destroyer overtook the Chung-Hoon on its left side and then abruptly crossed in front of it at a distance of approximately 150 yards (137 meters).
The American destroyer maintained its course but reduced its speed to 10 knots "to avoid a collision," as stated by the US military.
The video released Monday shows the Chinese ship cutting across the course of the American one, then straightening out to start sailing in a parallel direction.
The Indo-Pacific Command said the actions violated maritime rules of safe passage in international water.
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.
“The US military flies, sails, and operates safely and responsibly anywhere international law allows.”
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 also 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 close calls have raised concerns about a possible accident that could lead to an escalation between the two countries’ militaries at a time when tensions in the region are already high.
The incident in the Taiwan Strait came on a day when both US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Li Shangfu were in Singapore for an annual defence conference.
Li on Sunday suggested that the US and its allies have created the danger with their patrols, and was intent on provoking China.
“The best way is for the countries, especially the naval vessels and fighter jets of countries, not to do closing actions around other countries’ territories,” he said through an interpreter.
“What’s the point of going there? In China, we always say, ‘Mind your own business.’”
Austin had invited Li to talk on the side lines of the conference - Li refused.
