

With all the hardline rhetoric — including warnings of war — coming from U.S. and Chinese officials before and after the much anticipated Oct. 27 patrol of a U.S. destroyer near some artificial islands built by China in the South China, gotta admit, it’s refreshing to learn that the sailors involved in the mission may have become lifelong friends.

According to Reuters, the relationship started out a little rocky, once the USS Lassen sailed inside the 12 nautical mile zone that China claims around its artificial islands, the vessel was immediately hailed by a Chinese destroyer, demanding to know:

“Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?”

The Lassen was participating in a much publicized freedom-of-navigation exercise directed at challenging China’s controversial claims in the disputed South China Sea. Rather than directly say that, the American sailors replied that they were operating in accordance with international law, and intended to transit past the island. Thanks for asking.

In response, the Chinese destroyer seems to have gotten somewhat tongue tied and just continued to persist in asking the same question over and over again:

“Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?”

“Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?”

“Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?”

“Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?”

As hard as it is to believe, this was apparently the start of a beautiful friendship. For the following ten days, the Chinese warship continued to tail the Lassen through the South China Sea. As boredom set in, the two got to know each other a little better.

The commanding officer of the Lassen, Commander Robert Francis, told Reuters:

“A few weeks ago we were talking to one of the ships that was accompanying us, a Chinese vessel … (We) picked up the phone and just talked to him like, ‘Hey, what are you guys doing this Saturday? Oh, we got pizza and wings. What are you guys eating? Oh, we’re doing this. Hey, we’re planning for Halloween as well’.” The intent, Francis said, is “to show them … that we’re normal sailors, just like them, have families, just like them.”

The Chinese sailors, speaking in English, responded by talking about where they were from, their families and places they have visited, Francis said.

Of course, this bromance couldn’t last forever and eventually the Chinese destroyer had to leave. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

“They were very cordial the entire time … even before and after the Spratly islands transit,” Francis said. “When they left us they said, ‘Hey, we’re not going to be with you anymore. Wish you a pleasant voyage. Hope to see you again’.”

Considering that this patrol is expected to be just the first of many to come, that very well may happen. Either way, it’s good to know that the Chinese Navy has worked on its small talk since the last incident.