New Navy photos show Chinese destroyer's near collision with US destroyer

If we keep letting actions like this go unchallenged (at the point where they occur) other nations will again get the idea that the US is unwilling to fight. In the 1930's the Japanese and German governments misunderstood our reluctance to become involved in international disputes. We did respond to some provocations with trade embargoes (e.g. banning the Japanese Government's access to natural rubber from our overseas possessions).
What happened? The Japanese attacked us on DEC 7 1941. Why did they do this? One, our trade policies were very effective in harming their war machine. Two, those in their government (who didn't really understand us) believed we would just roll over. The Japanese were grossly in error as was Germany. The result was the bloodiest war fought (to date) by us from DEC 1941 to August 1945. Three years and 8 months after their massive miscalculations, both Japan and Germany lay under smoldering ruins.
We of course didn't accomplish this alone, but our allies had suffered disaster after disaster until we were up to speed.
The Greatest Generation has mostly past into history. The current population of war fighting aged people in the US, the UK, and our other allies are a far cry from the people of 1939-1945. This then makes it even more incumbent upon our leadership to prevent a world wide conflagration by the application of a little preventive medicine. In making this recommendation, some will assume that I don't truly understand what this may in cost in lives & treasure. After seeing modern combat up close & personal, I can assure everyone that I do understand the cost. The cost of doing nothing in the present however, will be far greater in the future. SO ...

The next time a naval vessel of the PLAN comes dangerously close to one of our vessels (like this time), we rake it with 5" Mk. 45 cannon, CIWS, small arms especially 30 mm mini-gun (if available) and anything else we can muster on deck. If their vessel sinks, fine. If it doesn't sink also fine. Radio the location of the burning hulk to the PRCN and let them come take care of their swimmers. Same goes for their aircraft. If they get stupid, splash them.
We need to be ready with a full on conventional body blow should the PRC decide to up the ante. We need to be already shielding our sailors, marines and materiel as much as possible. But make no mistake, after our initial reaction we become counter-punchers always exacting a higher cost from the PRC than we suffer.
Irrespective of the "Nervous Nancy's" who would have you believe otherwise, it will not go nuclear. As long as we do not attempt to unseat the Chinese Communist Party from power they have no real incentive to go nuclear and make themselves the pariah.