A US warship has again sailed through the sensitive waterway that separates Taiwan from China, a week after the Chinese-claimed island reported the largest incursion to date of Chinese air force jets in its defence zone.
Key points:
- The US navy has been conducting such operations in the Taiwan Strait every month or so
- China last week sent 28 jets into Taiwan’s air space
- The latest operation comes after the G7 and NATO both issued statements scolding China
The US navy’s 7th Fleet said the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a “routine Taiwan Strait transit” on Tuesday in accordance with international law.
“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the US navy said.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said the ship had sailed in a northerly direction through the strait and the “situation was as normal”.
The same ship transited the strait a month ago, prompting China to accuse the US of threatening peace and stability.
The latest mission comes around a week after Taiwan reported 28 Chinese aircraft, including fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers, entered the island’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
That incident followed the Group of Seven leaders issuing a joint statement scolding China for a series of issues and underscoring the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, comments China condemned as “slander”.
The US, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with democratic Taiwan but is its most important international backer and a major seller of arms.
Military tension between Taiwan and Beijing has spiked over the past year, with Taipei complaining of China repeatedly sending its air force into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
China said its activities around Taiwan are aimed at protecting China’s sovereignty and deterring foreign forces.
Taiwan’s government has denounced it as attempts at intimidation.
Reuters