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By Micah McCartney
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Footage capturing a rare encounter between U.S. and Taiwanese navy ships has surfaced on social media.
The video, which has been going viral in Taiwan this week, comes after Reuters cited sources as saying last year that the U.S. and Taiwan navies conducted joint naval training in April 2024 that "officially, did not take place."
Newsweek is unable to verify when or where the video was recorded.
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Why It Matters
While Washington has for decades been Taipei's main source of arms under the Taiwan Relations Act, it has historically avoided direct military exercises with the island. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has promised to bring it under its control, by force if necessary.
Last year China issued a strong protest and an ominous warning after news broke of April's purported secret naval drills. Beijing, considers official interactions with Taiwan a violation of its sovereignty.
Tensions have remained high in recent years, with near-daily Chinese warplane sorties across the Taiwan Strait's median line and military exercises simulating blockades of the island.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry and the Pentagon via emailed requests for comment.
What To Know
A TikTok account using the handle @porscheboxter25years uploaded a video on February 18 featuring what appears to be a U.S. Navy replenishment ship sailing just ahead of a Taiwanese vessel.
"U.S. Naval auxiliary prepares to refuel a Taiwanese ship," reads the on-screen text, which identifies the second vessel as a Yushan-class landing dock—a claim supported by the visible hull number, 1401.
The user describes themselves as a merchant marine deck officer for the Military Sealift Command, the U.S. Navy organization responsible for operating noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that provide logistical support to naval forces.
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Last year, Reuters cited sources familiar with the matter as saying American and Taiwanese naval forces had engaged in what were dubbed "unplanned sea encounters" at some point in April. The interaction reportedly focused on basic operations such as communications and refueling, and involved roughly half a dozen vessels from each side, including supply ships and frigates.
China's Foreign Ministry reiterated Beijing's "firm and unequivocal" opposition to any military contact between the U.S. and Taiwan, urging Washington to "stop its wrong behavior."
What is the Yushan?
The Taiwanese ship was commissioned in 2023 as the first of four planned Yushan-class amphibious transport docks. At 502 feet in length and with a displacement of 10,600 tons, it ranks as the fourth-largest vessel in Taiwan's navy.
Well-armed for its class, the ship is equipped with two Phalanx CIWS automated gun systems, a 76 mm naval gun, and four missile launchers. Its flight deck can support a complement of two Black Hawk or Seahawk helicopters.
What's Next?
Taiwan has yet to issue an official statement on the video.
A spokesperson Taiwan's defense ministry did not directly confirm the incident and suggested it was an "unexpected encounter," telling Newsweek Taiwanese forces adhere to standard protocol for such interactions.
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