American Aircraft Carrier Comes Into ‘More Than A Brief Encounter’ With Chinese Submarine Off The Coast Of Japan, According To A U.S. Defense Official

A U.S. defense official confirmed that a Chinese submarine tracked an American aircraft carrier off the coast of Japan, reported Westernslope Now Nov. 4.

The Kilo-class fast attack submarine of China allegedly followed the USS Ronald Reagan for more than half a day on Oct. 24.

"It was more than a brief encounter," the official noted.

No threatening behavior was detected from the submarine as an American anti-submarine observed the Chinese vessel. However, Chinese officials have yet to give out comments or explanations on the matter.

Meanwhile, the USS Theodore Roosevelt travelled through the South China Sea on Thursday, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter on board, who noted that China often times "come out and take a look at what's going on" whenever U.S. and Japan conducts joint exercises.

A close encounter of this sort, however, poses a certain level of concern and threat.

"Some person cuts off the other one," noted retired Adm. Pete Daly, who is now head of the U.S. Naval Institute. "Ships can collide. We've had cases where people didn't understand intent, where gun-mounts were trained. There's the potential for misunderstanding or the potential for a strategic miscalculation."

According to CNN on Thursday, the Chinese-American encounter in the waters of the Pacific happened at a time of naval tensions between the two nations as China claims territorial ownership in the South China Sea.

"The truth is, we track them tracking us, and we learn about their capabilities," said Robert Daly, who directs the Kissinger Institute on China at the Woodrow Wilson Center. "Chinese submarines are growing in number, but they're still relatively noisy. They're at least a generation behind us. And when they track us, we find out what they are capable of."

In September, China made a first encounter with the U.S. amid naval tensions when Chinese navy ships travelled through the waters of Alaska closer than 12 miles.

"I actually think it's the beginning of a tense period," said Robert Daly. "This is going to be a long process in which there is a mutual testing of limits and sending of signals."