A US ship crosses the Taiwan Strait days after Chinese military exercises near the island

17 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The US Navy has reported this Monday that its USS Milius guided missile destroyer has crossed the Taiwan Strait, in what it has described as “routine transit”, amid tensions in the region and a week after the Chinese army ends military maneuvers near the island.

The United States Seventh Fleet, through a statement, has indicated that the transit has taken place in “waters in which the freedoms of navigation and overflight on the high seas apply in accordance with International Law.”

“The ship has transited through a Strait corridor that is beyond the territorial sea of ​​any coastal State,” the letter continues, noting that this action “demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Thus, the US Navy has wanted to underline that the “US Army flies, navigates and operates wherever allowed by International Law”.

These actions take place a week after China announced that it had “successfully” completed its military exercises around Taiwan after the deployment of an aircraft carrier in its vicinity.

The maneuvers, which lasted for three days, allowed the Chinese Army to carry out various exercises, test its capabilities, simulate attacks and implement a possible blockade of the island.

The escalation of tensions in the region began with the trip to the island of the now former president of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in August of last year, although they have rebounded after the meeting between the Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing Wen, and the current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the territory under its sovereignty.