U.S. Says China Harassed Naval Ship

Associated Press
March 10, 2009


The U.S. Navy, which released this photo, said two Chinese vessels Sunday closed to within 50 feet.
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon accused China of "increasingly aggressive" actions in the South China Sea after five Chinese vessels allegedly maneuvered close to a U.S. surveillance ship.
The Chinese vessels' alleged actions, which occurred in international waters, prompted U.S. officials in Washington and Beijing to lodge formal protests with their Chinese counterparts, U.S. officials said Monday. But the incident and ensuing diplomatic protests appear unlikely to shake broader relations between the two powers.
The Pentagon on Monday said Chinese planes or ships routinely fly or steam close to U.S. craft in the area, but the latest actions "were considerably more aggressive and unprofessional than we have seen, and greatly increased the risk of collision or miscalculation."
The Chinese government didn't issue a formal response. A Chinese diplomat in Washington said he wasn't aware of the details of the episodes in question but added that China has frequently issued complaints to the U.S. about its surveillance activities in the region. Still, the diplomat said, "It is in the interests of both countries to maintain stable and healthy bilateral relations."
After the Impeccable was surrounded, two of the Chinese vessels allegedly closed within 50 feet, the Pentagon said, as their crew members waved Chinese flags and told the Impeccable to steam away.
As the Impeccable tried to leave the area, it radioed its intentions to the Chinese and asked for a safe path, the Pentagon said. But U.S. officials said two of the Chinese vessels stopped directly in its path, forcing the Impeccable to stop to avoid a collision.