Chinese warship comes within 45 yards of colliding with San Diego-based destroyer

“The (Chinese) destroyer conducted a series of increasingly aggressive maneuvers accompanied by warnings for Decatur to depart the area,” said Navy Cmdr. Nate Christensen, a Pacific Fleet spokesman. “The (Chinese) destroyer approached within 45 yards of Decatur’s bow, after which Decatur maneuvered to prevent a collision.”

Gaven Reef is close to the disputed Spratly Islands, where China has made severalterritorial claims not recognized by the U.S. and other nations in the region.

The U.S. Navy has made a point of sailing through the contested waters in defiance of China’s claims. The Decatur was apparently involved in such “freedom of navigation” operations when Sunday’s incident occurred.

China has built airstrips and artificial islands in the South China Sea, actions condemnedby Defense Secretary James Mattis in Singapore in June.

“So make no mistake: America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay,” Mattis said at the time. “This is our priority theater. Our interests and the region’s are inextricably intertwined.”

Mattis characterized China’s militarization in the South China Sea as being for “intimidation and coercion.”

China views American operations in the vicinity of its claimed territory as provocations. However, in 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China’s territorial claims in the Spratly Islands — a ruling the country rejected.

The islands are mostly uninhabited but are close to busy shipping lanes — lanes which the U.S. has an interest in protecting.

“U.S. Navy ships and aircraft operate throughout the Indo-Pacific routinely, including in the South China Sea,” Christensen said. “As we have for decades, our forces will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”