China was 'irresponsible' in stand-off at sea – US | Inquirer News

China was ‘irresponsible’ in stand-off at sea – US

/ 07:51 AM December 20, 2013

Chuck Hagel. AP FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON – China acted in an “irresponsible” way in a stand-off with a US naval ship this month in the South China Sea, American Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Thursday.

US officials have said that the USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser, had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a Chinese vessel that was dangerously close in the December 5 incident.

Article continues after this advertisement

“That action by the Chinese, cutting in front …100 yards out in front of the Cowpens, was not a responsible action,” Hagel told a news conference.

FEATURED STORIES

“It was unhelpful, it was irresponsible,” he said.

Hagel said the maritime confrontation, the first reported for several years, pointed to the need for clear protocols between the two militaries to avoid a potential clash in the Pacific.

Article continues after this advertisement

“That’s the kind of thing that’s very incendiary, that could be a trigger or a spark that could set off some eventual miscalculation,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The two sides needed to work “to have a mechanism to be able to defuse some of these issues as they occur.”

Article continues after this advertisement

General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the same press conference that American and Chinese military officers have been meeting to draft rules for when the two militaries encounter each other.

He said “those working groups have actually been meeting and making some progress.”

Article continues after this advertisement

China has played down the incident and said the US ship posed a “threat.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: China, Conflicts, Defense

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.