Tensions escalated dramatically in the Taiwan Strait on September 17, 2025, as a Chinese Type 052D destroyer aggressively closed in on the USS Higgins, a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer conducting a routine freedom of navigation patrol. At precisely 3:42 p.m. local time, the Chinese vessel veered sharply toward the Higgins, closing the distance to less than 200 yards—a dangerously close encounter that sent shockwaves through the bridge crew.
With its bow aimed directly at the Higgins, the Chinese destroyer accelerated from 21 to over 25 knots in a matter of seconds, signaling an intent that was anything but passive. The silence from the Chinese ship was deafening; it did not respond to repeated radio hails from the Higgins, first in English and then in Mandarin. This was not a mere coincidence; it was a calculated maneuver, a test of boundaries designed to gauge how far China could push the US Navy without provoking a response.
As the situation intensified, the Higgins remained steadfast, maintaining its course and logging every detail of the encounter. The crew was acutely aware that any misstep could lead to a catastrophic incident. With the radar tracking the Chinese destroyer’s every move, the tension on board was palpable. The Higgins’ crew executed their protocols with precision, rotating the ship’s 5-inch gun slightly to signal readiness without provoking a direct confrontation.
At 3:45 p.m., the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter took to the skies from the Higgins, further escalating the stakes. The helicopter, equipped with advanced surveillance technology, began to scan the Chinese vessel, capturing every moment of the standoff in high-definition. The presence of the Seahawk was a clear message: the US was not backing down.
But the Chinese destroyer did not relent. Instead, it continued its silent approach until it finally altered course, narrowly avoiding a direct confrontation. A voice from the Chinese ship crackled over the radio, demanding that the Higgins alter its course, asserting that it was encroaching on a “Chinese administered maritime zone.” The Higgins responded firmly, reiterating its right to navigate in international waters.
This encounter was not merely a close call; it was part of a larger pattern of aggressive maneuvers by China in the region. For months, Chinese naval forces have been testing the limits of US patience and resolve, employing tactics designed to blur the lines of legality and provoke missteps. The stakes in the Taiwan Strait are high, and both nations are acutely aware that the next move could shift the balance of power.
As the two ships continued their standoff, the world watched closely. The ongoing tension in the Taiwan Strait is emblematic of a wider geopolitical struggle, with both sides maneuvering for supremacy. The US Navy, equipped with surveillance gear and legal teams on standby, is prepared for these encounters, knowing that the narrative is just as crucial as the military might.
In this high-stakes game of chicken, both the USS Higgins and the Chinese destroyer withdrew without incident, but the implications of their encounter linger. The question remains: how will the US respond to these increasingly assertive tactics? The answer could redefine naval engagement in the region for years to come.
