US, China in fresh row as American Nuclear Submarine hit an unidentified object in underwater accident  

The United States of America (USA) is heading into a fresh row with China after a US nuclear submarine hit an unidentified object in Asia waters. The US Navy had on Thursday disclosed that the US nuclear submarine was damaged after hitting an unidentified object during an  underwater operation in Asia.

The US Navy had in a statement declared that the USS Connecticut, a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, “struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of October 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The Navy said that there were no life-threatening injuries; however, about a dozen sailors were said to be hurt “with moderate to minor injuries.”

The submarine was also said to be operating in the South China Sea, where the US Navy has been keeping surveillance since the disputes over the China South Sea, China claims ownership of small islands, reefs and outcrops.

China further claims ownership of the entire South China Sea, which is also claimed by four Southeast Asian countries, including Taiwan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, was cited to have declared on Friday that Beijing is “extremely concerned” about the collision, accusing the US of deliberately concealing the nature of the incident.

China, in a statement by Zhao, insisted that “Washington should provide “detailed clarification” of the event, including information about what the submarine collided with, whether it caused nuclear leakage and whether it damaged the local marine environment.”

China further accused the US of long “disturbing the peace” in the South China Sea “under the banner of freedom of navigation.”

The US Navy, however, stated that “the submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational.”