In 1997, the tranquility of the South China Sea was shattered by an emergency radio sound, and the Chinese People's Liberation Army frigate Yibin received an urgent order that all officers and men should immediately enter combat readiness.
At a sensitive moment when Hong Kong is about to return to the motherland, this order is like a lightning bolt that pierces the calm sea, heralding an unknown storm to come.
At the same moment, thousands of kilometers away in London, the command center of the British Royal Navy also received the latest intelligence on the South China Sea.
Tensions between the two countries are on the verge of erupting like a string.
As soon as the order was issued, several British warships had begun to assemble in the direction of the South China Sea, ready to respond to any possible outbreak. What happens when two warships confront each other?
1. Receipt and execution of emergency preparation instructions
On June 25, 1997, the radio room of the Yibin frigate suddenly sounded a rapid radio wave, and an urgent order was sent to prepare for war.
The directive, which came from a higher command, was concise and to the point, indicating that all officers and men were to be put into combat readiness immediately.
The moment they received the order, the atmosphere on the ship instantly became tense, and the officers and men acted quickly to adjust their posts and duties.
The combat readiness of the Yibin was divided into several stages, the first of which was the inspection and launch of the weapons system.
The ship's missile launchers, anti-ship guns and other defensive systems are inspected one by one to ensure a quick response in the event of a possible conflict.
The communication system was also set to wartime, and all communication channels were reconfigured to ensure close contact with the command and other warships.
Immediately afterwards, the ship's mechanics conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Yibin's power system.
Key indicators such as oil pressure, temperature, etc., of the engines are carefully monitored to ensure the stability and reliability of the corvette at high speeds.
On the bridge, the navigator and pilot urgently adjusted the course and directed the ship towards the border between the South China Sea and the high seas.
While the Yibin quickly adjusted its course, observers and radar operators began intensive surveillance at the highest point of the ship.
Using radar and other detection equipment, they conduct a comprehensive scan of the surrounding waters to detect any unusual movements or potential threats.
Every 30 minutes, the ship's communicators send updates on the security situation at sea to higher command via an encrypted military communications network.
The report includes sea conditions, weather, and vessel activity in the surrounding waters.
During the voyage, the crew of the Yibin maintained a high degree of vigilance, and everyone did their duty in their posts.
On deck, equipment managers check life-saving equipment and personal combat equipment to ensure that emergencies can be responded to immediately.
The kitchen staff worked overtime to prepare sufficient combat rations to maintain the physical strength and morale of the officers and men.
2. Confrontation in the South China Sea
In the early morning of June 26, the Yibin arrived at the border between the South China Sea and the high seas. The sky was clear, the sea was unusually calm, and the officers and men on the ship were vigilant at their posts, monitoring the surrounding sea area until noon, when a sudden change occurred.
The Yibin's radar first picked up the signals of two large targets, and then two large ships flying the British flag appeared in the line of sight.
The appearance of these two ships was clearly planned, and they sailed towards the Yibin at a steady and slow speed, apparently demonstrating their military presence.
Soon, the situation became more tense, and the silhouettes of more ships appeared on the distant horizon. The newly arrived ships were soon identified as British warships, numbering more than thirty.
With the arrival of the British warship group, the atmosphere on the sea quickly became tense. The British fleet began to change formations, from simple marching formations to battle formations, an unequivocal display of strength and threat.
Their naval guns were aimed at the Yibin and seemed ready to fire at any moment.
Moreover, these ships significantly surpassed the Yibin in numbers and firepower, a tactic to try to force the other side to evacuate by superiority.
On the Yibin, the observation and operation team responded quickly. On the bridge, operators nervously monitor radar screens and communication systems to ensure that all information is transmitted to every combat post in real time.
The ship's artillery was ready for defense, aimed at the movements of the British fleet, ready for a possible conflict.
Despite the overwhelming numerical superiority, the officers and men of the Yibin adjusted the ship's position according to the predetermined tactical deployment in order to make more effective use of its weapon systems and maneuverability.
The commander of the Yibin communicated with the British fleet by radio, trying to understand the intentions of the other side and express his position that the Yibin was carrying out routine patrol duties and had not violated the territorial waters of other countries.
At the same time, the commander also reported the situation to his superiors, asked for instructions. While waiting for further instructions, the Yibin maintained a high state of alert, ensuring that it could respond to any possible conflicts at the first opportunity.
While the British fleet was constantly adjusting its formation, the Yibin showed a firm posture of not backing down by using its highly trained crew and advanced shipboard weapon systems.
The Yibin's naval guns are precisely aligned, and radar and sonar systems are working at full capacity to keep track of every movement in the surrounding waters.
3. Fierce sea chase
The confrontation between the Yibin and the British fleet continued throughout the afternoon, and neither side let up. Suddenly, one of the British warships increased its power output, and the guns stopped aligning, turned their bow to the northwest, and headed quickly towards Hong Kong.
The move was somewhat abrupt, as the ship had remained relatively stationary for the previous hours.
On the bridge of the Yibin, the moment the British warship was observed, the captain immediately issued a tracking order.
The Yibin's engines then accelerated, quickly adjusted its course, and chased after the British warship that was rapidly departing.
The Yibin's power system reached a high efficiency output in a short period of time, and the vibration on the ship also increased, but the design and construction of this frigate guaranteed good stability even at high speeds.
The two warships drew a long wake in the South China Sea, and as the sun gradually sank in the west, the speed race between the two ships became particularly prominent on the sea.
The British warship did have a high speed, which was a big challenge for the Yibin.
Despite this, the Yibin crew was precise and managed to reduce the distance between the British warships ahead and the British warships in front of them, using their superior course and speed strategy.
During the chase, the Yibin's communications system worked continuously, and the ship's communicators constantly updated the position information, speed, and any key events of the two ships back to the command.
At the same time, the ship's radar and other surveillance systems are also fully operational, ensuring that every movement of the British warship can be monitored and analyzed in real time.
The sea breeze gradually increases in the night, and the chase is even more difficult in such an environment.
The crew of the Yibin constantly adjusts their strategy to adapt to rapidly changing sea conditions through precise course adjustment and speed control.
In this chase, the Yibin demonstrated its superior maritime operational capabilities and quick response to complex situations.
In addition, the artillery preparation group of the Yibin is also on high alert, ready to defend or attack at any time.
Although no weapons were used in the chase, the officers and men did not slack off in their preparations, and every operation was carried out in an orderly manner.
This high level of readiness ensures that the Yibin can respond quickly in any eventuality.
After hours of intense pursuit, the night was dark, and the speed of the British warship had slowed down, but the Yibin still maintained a chaser posture.
Fourth, the threat of hull collision at critical moments
In the early morning of June 28, the chase between the Yibin and the British warship had continued all night, and the distance between the two ships was far and near, but the Yibin never gave up.
When the clock pointed to 8 a.m., the British warship, under constant pressure, abruptly changed its tactics in an attempt to resolve the confrontation by a more drastic means.
The British warship suddenly accelerated, directly adjusted its course, and aimed directly at the Yibin.
At this moment, the wind speed on the sea surface increases slightly, and the waves also fluctuate, increasing the difficulty of driving.
On the bridge of the Yibin, the captain and pilot quickly assessed the situation and adjusted course to avoid direct conflict while maintaining a tactical advantage.
During the rapid approach of the two warships, the officers and men of the Yibin maintained an extremely high state of concentration and readiness.
The artillery team is defensive, ready for a possible conflict, while the mechanics ensure the stable operation of the ship's power system in response to possible emergency maneuvers.
Communicators are in constant contact with command to ensure that any critical information is conveyed instantly.
As the distance between the two ships continued to shorten, the tension reached its peak. The Yibin, under the resolute command of the captain, made a precise maneuver.
The captain directs the Yibin to veer slightly to the right, a highly dangerous maneuver that requires extreme precision and timing, designed to avoid a direct collision while maintaining tactical pressure.
At the moment when the two warships were about to make contact, the British warship suddenly made a sharp turn.
Perhaps in anticipation of the Yibin's resolute response, or as a reassessment of the situation, the bow of the British warship made a sharp turn to the left at the last minute, causing the two ships to simply pass by.
The sea water was stirred up by the high speed of the two ships, and a brief shock was transmitted between the two ships, and the two ships drifted apart in a tense atmosphere.
The British warship failed to overwhelm the Yibin in this psychological and tactical confrontation, and its captain eventually chose to evacuate. The Yibin remained in place, monitoring the withdrawal of the British warships until it was confirmed that the other side had completely left the conflict zone.
5. The feat of heroically guarding the South China Sea
The 72-hour confrontation in the South China Sea was not only a geographical contest, but also a demonstration of national will and strategic determination.
From receiving an emergency order on June 25 to the final withdrawal of British warships on June 28, the Yibin and its officers and men demonstrated the national defense strength and firm stance of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the new era.
When the Yibin received the first command of combat readiness on the border of the South China Sea with the high seas, the entire fleet quickly entered a state of strict combat readiness.
This rapid and effective response capability is a direct manifestation of the Chinese Navy's years of training and modernization.
In the days that followed, the Yibin not only had to maintain a high level of physical combat readiness, but also showed sufficient restraint and intelligence at the tactical and strategic levels.
In the face of provocations and threats from the British fleet, the Yibin demonstrated its advanced sailing and combat capabilities.
Through precise course adjustment and tactical deployment, the Yibin effectively managed distance and interaction with the hostile fleet, ensuring that territorial sea security and national sovereignty were maintained through a strong military presence without firing fire.
This tactical precision and calmness proves the high level of operational capability and strategic self-confidence of the Chinese Navy in the new era.
In addition, to a certain extent, this confrontation is also a reflection and response to the history of a hundred years ago.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, China was repeatedly invaded and bullied by foreign forces due to the decline of its national strength.
The persistence and determination in the South China Sea this time shows a new image of China - a modern country that dares to defend its legitimate rights and interests on the international stage and has all-round national defense capabilities.
Sources:
Before Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Chinese and British navies demonstrated their strength at sea Author: Ma Qiang Wencui Bao (Friday Edition) 2019 Issue 3
Before Hong Kong's return to the motherland, I experienced 72 hours of confrontation between the Chinese and British navies Author: Xinchen Happy Elderly 2018 Issue 11