The USA under the leadership of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Harry Reid have lost all respect among the important nations of the world. Russia has thumbed their noses at the US, Iran is waiting for the Obama Bow and now China is challenging Obama'a near banktrupt, weakened and divided nation! Another Civl War may be brewing as the current White House has used every tool in its arsenal to turn black against white and welfare and food stamp famililies against hard working taxpayers. How can a nation survive when 47 per cent of the population do not pay taxes and even more are on welfare and food stamps? With a President who is spending money faster than they can print it? No wonder, China who is keeping the USA afloat by lending them billions upon billions of dollars are preparing for the day that they will demand a right to tell America to stay out of their back yard or else.!! Who will pay for the Obama's $100,000,000 vacations then? - Truth is stranger than fiction. Eh? - Pastor Max Solbrekken

Chinese naval vessel tries to force U.S. warship to stop in international waters

By Bill Gertz

Published December 13, 2013

Washington Free Beacon

Handout photo taken September 20, 2012 and released to Reuters on September 25, 2012 of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) in the Pacific Ocean.(Reuters)

A Chinese naval vessel tried to force a U.S. guided missile warship to stop in international waters recently, causing a tense military standoff in the latest case of Chinese maritime harassment, according to defense officials.

The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens, which recently took part in disaster relief operations in the Philippines, was confronted by Chinese warships in the South China Sea near Beijing’s new aircraft carrier Liaoning, according to officials familiar with the incident.

“On December 5th, while lawfully operating in international waters in the South China Sea, USS Cowpens and a PLA Navy vessel had an encounter that required maneuvering to avoid a collision,” a Navy official said.

“This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap.”

A State Department official said the U.S. government issued protests to China in both Washington and Beijing in both diplomatic and military channels.

The Cowpens was conducting surveillance of the Liaoning at the time. The carrier had recently sailed from the port of Qingdao on the northern Chinese coast into the South China Sea.

According to the officials, the run-in began after a Chinese navy vessel sent a hailing warning and ordered the Cowpens to stop. The cruiser continued on its course and refused the order because it was operating in international waters.