Chinese warship nearly collided with US warship in Taiwan Strait?

A Global News reporter has been on board the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal since May 25 in the South China Sea and witnessed the near collision from the HMCS Montreal, which, along with the USS Chung-Hoon, made a rare joint trip through the Taiwan Strait today, according to a statement from the US Navy's 7th Fleet.

An image believed to be a Chinese warship (left) speeding toward the US ship USS Chung-Hoon, in a video of a Chinese ship nearly colliding with a US ship in the Taiwan Strait released by Global News on June 3.

Captured from video by Global News

While the two US and Canadian ships were passing through the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese naval vessel increased its speed significantly and cut in front of the USS Chung-Hoon, an action that a commander of the HMCS Montreal, Captain Paul Mountford, called "unprofessional," according to Global News.

An image of what is believed to be a Chinese warship (left) speeding up and cutting across the bow of the US ship USS Chung-Hoon, in a video of a Chinese ship nearly colliding with a US ship in the Taiwan Strait released by Global News on June 3.

Captured from video by Global News

As the Chinese ship changed course, Mr. Mountford said they called the U.S. ship and told it to move or risk a collision. The U.S. responded by asking the Chinese to stay away from the USS Chung-Hoon, but the USS Chung-Hoon eventually had to change course and reduce speed to avoid a collision.

“The fact that this was radioed in advance clearly shows that this was intentional,” Mountford said of the Chinese ship. He also said that the Chinese told both the Canadian and US ships over the radio that they were entering Chinese territory, even though their joint mission was in internationally recognized waters, according to Global News.

"I hope it was an isolated incident that will not happen to us again, because we have international law on our side. These are international waters," Global News quoted Mr. Mountford as emphasizing.

President Xi Jinping calls on China to prepare for the "worst-case" scenario

The USS Chung-Hoon and HMCS Montreal sailed together in the South China Sea for nearly a week before entering the Taiwan Strait. Global News said its reporters witnessed Chinese warships shadowing the Canadian ship multiple times.

There is currently no information on China's response to the above accusations.

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