The Navy said Friday that a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine, damaged by a collision with an unknown underwater object in the South China Sea, had arrived at the port of Guam.
No details were available on the circumstances of the clash or the extent of the damage to USS Connecticut, but China’s Foreign Ministry expressed “serious concern” about what had happened.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters on Friday whether the United States “needs to reveal details of the accident, such as location, voyage intent, accident details, collisions, etc.” And whether it caused damage to the local marine environment. “
When the Pacific Fleet revealed the accident on October 2nd Thursday, it said the submarine’s nuclear propulsion system was undamaged and had not yet identified which underwater objects were attacked. It’s not clear where the clash happened, but other officials said it was in the South China Sea.
The Chinese Communist Party’s administration claims full sovereignty over the South China Sea, an unacceptable position for the United States and its allies. The Chinese administration is protesting the existence of the US Navy in the area.
In the South China Sea, despite Taiwan’s de facto independence and its own army, there is growing conflict between Washington and Beijing, including the status of Taiwan, an island claimed by the Chinese administration. It is one of many points. Democratically elected government and constitution. “
The underwater collision of a US submarine in the South China Sea was unusual and the Navy said it was under investigation. According to the Navy, about 11 crew members suffered moderate to minor injuries, including abrasions and bruises.
Based in Bremerton, Washington, Connecticut is one of three Seawolf-class attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet. These submarines were designed with the Navy of the former Soviet Union in mind during the Cold War to improve the US ability to attack submarines and surface ships. Each is operated by a crew of about 140 people.
Zhao reiterated the Chinese administration’s opposition to the agreement announced last month to provide Australia with a nuclear-powered submarine that Beijing sees as part of a campaign against increasing military and economic influence in Asia.
Epoch Times staff contributed to this report
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