Tensions Rising in the Taiwan Strait

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TAIWAN STRAIT (June 3, 2023) Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFG 336) sails alongside the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) during a transit through the Taiwan Strait. USS Chung-Hoon is on a routine deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet and is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF 71)/ Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. CTF 71/DESRON 15 is the largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre T. Richard)

In The Blaze, Joseph Mackinnon reports on the rising tensions between China and the United States in the Taiwan Strait. He writes:

Communist China is becoming increasingly brazen with its anti-American military provocations.

Over the weekend, a Chinese warship cut in front of the USS Chung-Hoon, an American destroyer, which was conducting a routine transit of the Taiwan Strait along with the HSMC Montreal, a Canadian frigate.

According to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, the USS Chung-Hoon and Montreal were traveling Saturday “through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply.”

During the transit, the Luyang III, a Type 052D Chinese guided-missile destroyer, “executed maneuvers in an unsafe manner in the vicinity of Chung-Hoon,” overtaking the U.S. destroyer on its port side then crossing its bow at 150 yards.

While the American vessel maintained its course, it did, however, slow its advance to avoid a collision.

After cutting off the American destroyer without signaling, the Luyang reportedly crossed the Chung-Hoon’s bow a second time starboard “to port at 2,000 yards.”

USINDOPACOM later stressed that the “U.S. military flies, sails, and operates safely and responsible anywhere international law allows.”

The US Navy releases video showing a Chinese warship came within 150 yards of its destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, in what the military officials called an ‘unsafe interaction’ https://t.co/h54Objqb8n pic.twitter.com/TcDDL9D4RX

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 5, 2023