'Military Tensions Rise' US-China Clash Over Destroyers and Fighter Jets This Time

Chinese State Media: "US Destroyer Intrudes into Chinese Training Area... Highly Provocative"
US Department of Defense: "China's Actions Worsen South China Sea Situation"
Wang Yi Followed by Yang Jiechi's Unusual Visit to Europe

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Amid escalating military tensions between the United States and China, a new incident occurred where a US destroyer intruded into the training area of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, prompting an emergency dispatch of Chinese fighter jets. Although the situation did not escalate to the worst-case scenario, the possibility of accidental clashes between the two sides has increased. This is the second time the US military has intruded into the Chinese military's maritime training area, following the 'U2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft' incident on the 25th.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 28th that the US Navy destroyer USS Mustin entered the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea the previous day, leading to an emergency dispatch of Chinese naval vessels and air force fighter jets.

The Global Times stated that after the Chinese military tracked and identified the US Navy destroyer and warned it of the intrusion, the US destroyer subsequently left the area.

A spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army emphasized, "China has firm sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters, and the military is on alert to protect sovereignty and maintain peace."

Military expert Wei Dongxu told China's state-run Global Times, "The Chinese military is equipped with maritime and aerial surveillance capabilities," adding, "If provocative actions by US warships are detected, the Chinese military will respond immediately."

The Global Times warned, "China's naval missile guidance systems recognize US warships as training target vessels and can shoot them down," and added, "Approaching areas near live-fire missile training is a very dangerous and provocative act."

Earlier, on the 25th, the Chinese military strongly protested that a US Air Force U2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft conducted reconnaissance over a pre-notified live-fire maritime training area (no-fly zone), and launched two long-range ballistic missiles (Dongfeng-26 and Dongfeng-21) into the South China Sea.

The US Department of Defense issued a statement on the 27th (local time) warning China. The Department expressed concern over China's recent decision to conduct military exercises, including ballistic missile launches, around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea from the 23rd to the 29th, criticizing, "China's actions, including missile tests, further worsen the situation in the South China Sea."

As US-China tensions reach a peak, it has been reported that Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Political Bureau responsible for foreign affairs, will visit three European countries next week. Following Foreign Minister Wang Yi, it is considered unusual for another high-ranking Chinese official to visit Europe in quick succession.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), citing sources, reported that next week Yang Jiechi will visit Greece, Spain, and Portugal. The SCMP added that Chinese state-owned investors are showing interest in the port facilities of the three countries Yang will visit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.