Maritime News | Taiwan
U.S. warship transits sensitive Taiwan Strait
- Another strong message to China
A U.S. warship again sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which always riles China whose government believes Washington is trying to stir regional tensions.
- Ready to tame the Dragon?
The U.S. Navy said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a “routine Taiwan Strait transit” through international waters in accordance with international law.
- War of words
Last month, the Chinese military condemned the United States and Canada for each sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait, saying they were threatening peace and stability in the region.
- The bone of contention
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory, and has mounted repeated air force missions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the past year or so, provoking anger in Taipei.
- A tumultuous future
The United States like most countries has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its most important international backer and arms supplier. Beijing calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with Washington.
China flexes muscle: Another message to Taiwan and America
- Big power credentials
China’s military had conducted a combat readiness patrol in the direction of the Taiwan Strait, after its defence ministry condemned a visit to Taiwan by a U.S. congressional delegation it said had arrived on a military aircraft.
- The real reason
The patrol was aimed at the “seriously wrong” words and actions of “relevant countries” on the Taiwan issue and the activities of pro-independence forces in Taiwan, a Chinese military spokesperson said in a statement.
- Growing threat
Cross-strait tensions have been rising in recent months, with Taiwan complaining for a year or more of repeated missions by China’s air force near the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.
- Another incursion
Taiwan’s defence ministry said six Chinese military aircraft entered its southwestern air defence zone on Tuesday, including four J-16 fighter jets and two surveillance planes.
- World beware
China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratic Taiwan under its control and has been ramping up military activity around the island, including repeatedly flying war planes into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
Source : The Economic Times
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