US-China Tensions Rise as Warship Enters Disputed Waters, Raising Accident Concerns

On May 10, 2024, the USS Halsey, a guided-missile destroyer, entered the territorial waters of China's Xisha Qundao without authorization. In response, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command deployed naval and air forces to monitor and warn the vessel in accordance with established regulations.

A recent report from a Chinese think tank indicates that the United States maintains a significant military presence in the South China Sea and surrounding areas. While the intensity of these activities remains high, the number and frequency of deployed platforms have stabilized over the past year.

The US military has been actively engaged in various operations, including close-in reconnaissance, transits through the Taiwan Straits, forward presence deployments, strategic cruising, military exercises, and battlefield preparation in the South China Sea and its vicinity. Despite the high level of activity, the think tank suggests that the US may have reached a peak in its peacetime presence due to limitations in platform availability and other global events.

Chinese military experts have expressed concerns that the sustained high intensity of US military activities near China could elevate the risk of accidents. The expert noted that the US has dispersed military resources to other regions, which has limited the equipment available to further enhance activities in the South China Sea. This, coupled with the fatigue of US forces, could increase the likelihood of incidents.

Incidents involving US military assets in the South China Sea have occurred in recent years. These include a submarine striking an uncharted seamount and a fighter jet landing mishap on an aircraft carrier. The expert also highlighted that close proximity to Chinese territories could necessitate actions by the Chinese side to monitor and deter US vessels, potentially disrupting regional peace and stability.

A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of National Defense has stated that the US and its allies have engaged in provocative actions, including unauthorized entry into Chinese territorial waters and airspace, and interference with Chinese training activities. These actions are seen as undermining China's sovereignty and security, endangering personnel safety, and destabilizing the region. The spokesperson emphasized that the US is the primary source of provocation and disruption in the area.