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
-
![Swedish Navy and Saab sign deal on autonomous mine countermeasures vessels]()
Swedish Navy and Saab sign deal on autonomous mine countermeasures vessels
The AUV will use high-resolution sonar images to detect mines on the seabed without endangering personnel.
-
![New Talwar-class frigate enters service with the Indian Navy]()
New Talwar-class frigate enters service with the Indian Navy
The INS Tushil has been in production and testing for over a decade, with three more vessels following behind to complete the class.
-
![UK’s Royal Navy trials autonomous mine hunting capability]()
UK’s Royal Navy trials autonomous mine hunting capability
The trial tested the Apollo uncrewed mine counter measures vessel in challenging Scottish waters to ensure its resilience.
-
![Steel cutting begins on Malaysian corvettes]()
Steel cutting begins on Malaysian corvettes
STM has begun building three corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy which are expected to be completed by mid-2028 at a programme cost of US$544 million.
-
![USS Zumwalt undocked after supersonic weapons upgrade]()
USS Zumwalt undocked after supersonic weapons upgrade
The vessel will be the first in the US fleet to carry the Conventional Prompt Strike capability.
