US and Chinese Navy’s Near-Collision Incident Escalates Tensions in Taiwan Strait

A near-collision incident between Chinese and US Navy warships in the Taiwan Strait, captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, has heightened tensions during a joint exercise between the US and Canadian Navy.

The footage, released by the Global News crew aboard the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal, was also criticized by the vessel’s commander, Captain Paul Mountford, who labeled the Chinese ship’s conduct “unprofessional.”

Following the incident, China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu accused the US and its allies of disrupting the Indo-Pacific region. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Li accused the US of instigating bloc confrontations for selfish gains. He also claimed that Washington and its allies established rules to wield control over the region.

Li warned of the catastrophic global implications if a severe confrontation ensued between the US and China. This sentiment echoed that of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who, at the same summit, warned of the devastating effect a war over Taiwan could have.

Austin highlighted the far-reaching impact of such a war on the global economy. Responding to queries about the near-collision incident, Li criticized the US naval presence in the strait, blaming it for fomenting disorder in the region.

The Chinese Minister argued that the “US warships were not there for innocent passage but for provocation” and urged the US and other foreign powers to avoid sending military assets close to China if they wished to prevent confrontation.

In the wake of the incident, a representative for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command issued a statement claiming that Chinese forces had acted within legal and regulatory bounds. In addition, the spokesperson criticized certain countries for intentionally inciting issues in the Taiwan Strait, maliciously disrupting regional peace and stability, and encouraging Taiwan’s independence forces with misleading signals.