The United States Indo-Pacific command claims they have observed the execution of Unsafe maneuvers by the Chinese Navy near the American destroyer in Taiwan waters. The US accused China of making dangerous moves in the sensitive Taiwan Strait. The incident on Saturday was the second close encounter between Chinese and American Navies in the Asia Pacific in less than ten days. During the Saturday transit, the American Indo-Pacific Command claimed a Chinese ship practiced imperiling movements near the United States destroyer, Chung-Hoon.

The statement said the Chinese ship overtook the American Chung Hoon from their port side at a distance of 150 yards(137 meters), which was a close sail, and the American ship maintained its path and reduced speed to 10 knots to avoid the collision. It crossed Chung-Hoon’s boe a second-time starboard to port at 2000 yards. According to the US military, the other vessel passed in front of the Chung-Hoon ship and then passed behind it, staying off to the side. The closest distance it came to the Chung-Hoon was 150 yards. The report added that American militants fly, cruise, and operate safely and responsibly following international laws.

The incident occurred when American Chung-Hoon sailed through a narrow waterway on a rare mission with a Canadian ship. This waterway separates Taiwan from China. The Beijing-led military declared they monitored the passageway but didn’t mention the close encounter with the American vessel. On Saturday, China said that concerning countries execute threatening moves in the Taiwan Strait region, which raise risks, undermine regional and international peace, and send falsified signals to Taiwan’s independence forces.

China Claims Taiwan As its Territory

America has maintained its continuous presence in Taiwan waters for quite some time which China considers a direct threat to its sovereignty. A statement came from Taiwan’s defense ministry, which claimed that both ships sailed in a northerly direction and underwent no unusual activity. The report further said American battleships sales are frequent through the strait, but the joint tour with Canada was first after September 2022.

China always claims the Island of Taiwan as its territory and frequently says it would take the Island back one day and even use power if required. Beijing has put continuous military and political pressure on the Island. During a recent incident in the South China Sea, a Chinese jet flew dangerously close to a US RC-135 surveillance plane, coming within 400 feet of its nose. This was followed by a ship encounter in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan has been a bone of contention between China and America for recent years, and both show their power in these waters. The Republic of China claimed the Island as its territory, but Taiwan silently declared its independence and made good relations with America and other countries to get support. The Taiwanese leader recently made a US visit which was well highlighted. A spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry condemned the American incitement and said the United States has been sending long-term and frequent fighter ships and planes for the close surveillance of China, which is a severe threat to Chinese security and sovereignty.