In a dangerously close encounter that could have escalated into a major international incident, a Chinese J16 fighter jet buzzed the USS William P. Lawrence, a US Navy destroyer, in the Taiwan Strait on April 24, 2025. The incident unfolded during a freedom of navigation operation, with the destroyer asserting the US commitment to open international waters in a region fraught with tension over territorial claims.
As the USS William P. Lawrence navigated the politically sensitive waters, Chinese radar operators were quick to track the vessel. Tensions had already been heightened following the US’s recent arms sale to Taiwan, prompting China to ramp up military exercises in the area. Suddenly, a call from a Chinese warship warned the destroyer it was approaching “Chinese territorial waters.” The crew remained unfazed, accustomed to such standard harassment.
But the situation escalated rapidly when the J16 fighter jet, armed and aggressive, raced toward the destroyer, skimming just 150 feet above the waves. The crew on board the William P. Lawrence watched in disbelief as the jet performed a high-speed pass, sending shockwaves across the deck. The US Navy’s rules of engagement were clear: do not escalate. Yet the proximity of the aircraft put the destroyer on high alert, with fire control systems engaged and the crew prepared for any potential threat.
For 90 tense minutes, the J16 circled overhead, a constant reminder of the razor-thin margin for error in these politically charged waters. This provocative maneuver, reminiscent of past aggressive incidents involving Chinese aircraft, underscored the escalating stakes in the region. The US Indo-Pacific Command later condemned the intercept as “unsafe,” while Chinese state media defended their actions as necessary for national defense.
As the dust settled, both nations remained on high alert, with US Navy destroyers continuing their patrols amidst a backdrop of increasing tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. The implications of this close call are profound, serving as a stark reminder that in the Taiwan Strait, one reckless move could ignite a crisis.
