China accuses USS Barry of incursion into territorial waters
In the latest instance of Sino-US maritime tensions, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) has accused the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Barry of trespassing into Chinese territorial waters.
According to a statement from the MND, the incursion occurred on 28 April near the Xisha Islands (also known as the Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea, prompting the Southern Theatre Command of the PLA to deploy air and naval assets to the area.
PLA forces were tasked with tracking, identifying, verifying and warning the USN vessel.
USS Barry is part of the US Pacific Fleet’s America Expeditionary Strike Group, which held live-fire training exercises in the South China Sea between 13-18 April alongside counterparts from the RAN.
China claims sovereignty over the Paracels, although this is disputed by Vietnam and Taiwan. USN vessels often sail near the islands.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
-
![Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions]()
Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions
The new sonar is designed to equip uncrewed underwater vessels, with the potential to be used by the Royal Navy for its Atlantic Bastion and Atlantic Net missions.
