Washington (AFP) - A Chinese naval vessel came dangerously close to a US warship during a tense incident in the South China Sea last week, US military officials said Friday.
The USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser, was forced to maneuver to avoid a collision with the Chinese ship that had crossed directly in front of it and halted, according to naval officers and defense officials.
China&squots amphibious dock ship came less than 500 yards (meters) from the American warship, a defense official said.
"This encounter happened in international waters in the South China Sea on Dec. 5," the defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said in an email.
"Eventually, effective bridge-to-bridge communication occurred between the US and Chinese crews, and both vessels maneuvered to ensure safe passage," the official said.
The official said the Cowpens had been "in the vicinity" of China&squots new aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, when the incident occurred.
The stand-off ended peacefully but underscored tensions between the United States and China, which escalated after Beijing last month declared an expanded "air defense identification zone" in the East China Sea.
Last week&squots confrontation occurred in the strategic South China Sea, where Beijing has aggressively moved to push for control over territory claimed by other countries in the region.
The US military has repeatedly vowed to keep operating in international waters and airspace, and has increased its presence in Southeast Asia over the past year as a counter-balance to Beijing&squots more assertive regional stance.
China has declared an economic exclusion zone in part of the western Pacific, but the United States considers the area international waters beyond Beijing&squots control.
US military leaders have warned that China&squots air defense zone could aggravate tensions and possibly trigger a dangerous incident.
Washington has refused to recognize the air zone and flew a pair of B-52 bombers through the area without notifying Beijing in advance.
The defense official renewed calls for bolstering military relations between the two countries to prevent misunderstandings.
"US leaders have been clear about our commitment to develop a stable and continuous military-to-military relationship with China," the defense official said.
"Whether it is a tactical at-sea encounter, or strategic dialogue, sustained and reliable communication mitigates risk of mishaps, which is in the interest of both the US and China."
美國，中國軍艦幾乎相撞南中國海
華盛頓（法新社） - 一個中國軍艦來到危險地接近美國軍艦在上週緊張的事件發生在中國南海，美國軍方官員說，星期五。
在考彭斯號航空母艦，一艘導彈巡洋艦，被迫操縱，以避免與中國船舶是已直接在它前面的交叉和停止衝突，根據海軍軍官和國防部官員。
中國的兩棲船塢艦從美國軍艦來了不到500碼（米） ，國防部官員說。
“這個遭遇發生在中國南海的國際水域12月5日， ”國防官員，誰不願透露姓名的條件下，在一封電子郵件中說。
“最終，有效的橋台對駕駛台通信在美國和中國船員之間發生，且兩艘船機動，以確保安全通道， ”這位官員說。
這位官員說，考彭斯曾是中國的新航母，遼寧，事件發生時的“附近” 。
對峙和平結束，但強調美國和中國，這在升級中國東海後，北京上個月宣布的擴大“防空識別區”之間的緊張關係。
上週的對抗發生在戰略中國南海，其中北京移動積極推動了聲稱被其他國家在該地區領土的控制。
美軍曾多次發誓要保持在國際水域和空域作業，並增加了其在東南亞的存在，在過去一年為制衡北京的更自信的地區立場。
中國已經宣布了專屬經濟區在西太平洋的一部分，但美國認為超越北京控制領域的國際水域。
美國軍方領導人警告說，中國的防空區可能加劇緊張局勢，並可能引發危險事件。
華盛頓一直拒絕承認的空中區域，通過區域飛過一對B-52轟炸機在沒有提前通知北京。
該國防官員再次呼籲支撐著兩國之間的軍事關係，防止誤解。
“美國領導人已經明確了我們的承諾，建立一個穩定而持續的軍方對軍方與中國的關係， ”國防官員說。
“無論是戰術在海上相遇，或戰略對話，持續，可靠的通信減輕事故的風險，這是在美國和中國的利益。 ”
