In the statement made by USINDOPACOM, the US destroyer ship USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and the frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336) serving in the Canadian Forces will be moving from south to north in waters where freedom of navigation and flight in high seas is valid in accordance with international law on 3 June. It was stated that it made a routine Taiwan Strait crossing. During the transition, the Chinese warship PLA(N) LUYANG III DDG 132 (PRC LY 132) performed “dangerous maneuvers” around Chung-Hoon. It was stated that he had reduced his speed to avoid collision while protecting the vehicle. The statement said, “LY 132’s closest approach point was 137 meters and its actions violated the maritime ‘Traffic Rules’ regarding safe passage in international waters. The passage of Chung-Hoon and Montreal through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US-Canada’s joint commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The U.S. military flies, navigates and operates safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.
US AND CHINA DEFENSE MINISTERS WERE IN SINGAPORE
Meanwhile, the incident in the Taiwan Strait occurred on a day when US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Minister of Defense Li Shangfu were in Singapore for their annual defense conference.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue of the International Institute for Strategic Studies held in Singapore, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said, “It is in the interest of the entire world to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The security of commercial shipping routes and global supply chains depends on it. So is the freedom to roam around the world. Undoubtedly, the conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be devastating. Open lines of communication are essential between the People’s Republic of China and especially our defense and military leaders. Dialogue is not a reward. It’s a requirement. And the more we talk, the more we can avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict.”
Speaking at the same summit, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu said, “The right way for China and the United States to get along is to follow three principles: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
AIRCRAFT VOLTAGE
A few days ago, there was a plane tension between China and the USA. The US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) released the footage of those moments, stating that the US reconnaissance plane, which was conducting a routine operation over the South China Sea, was blocked by the Chinese fighter jet pilot with an ‘unnecessarily aggressive maneuver’. (DHA)