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On June 14, 2025, the USS Princeton, a key US Navy warship, was patrolling the South China Sea when it detected the Chinese destroyer Jon Chong about 200 kilometers away. Tensions rose quickly as the Chinese vessel accelerated toward the American ship, hinting at a possible confrontation.
Reports indicate that Jon Chong’s captain had orders from Beijing to intercept the Princeton and challenge its presence. But the American warship was fully prepared, boasting advanced radar systems and 122 vertical launch cells capable of targeting multiple threats at once.
As the Chinese destroyer approached, its YJ-18 anti-ship missiles posed a serious risk. Yet the Princeton’s SM-6 interceptors could neutralize them before impact, resulting in a tense “deadly dance” on the open sea.
The standoff highlighted both the danger of escalation in disputed waters and the superior precision and readiness of the US Navy in the face of aggressive maneuvers.
