US warships pass through the Taiwan Strait

First modification: 08/28/2022 – 10:59

The incident came after tensions around the Taiwan Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, peaked this month following a visit to Taipei by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

In a statement, the Navy said the move demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Following the visit by Pelosi — America’s third-highest elected official — Beijing reacted with outrage, launching air and sea exercises around the island for days.

Self-governing Taiwan — home to 23 million people — lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which claims this democratically-ruled island as part of its territory and promises to one day take it back, even by force, if necessary.

Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei, but maintains de facto relations with Taiwan and supports the island’s right to decide its future. But, for Beijing, it is one of its provinces, which has not yet been reunited with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese civil war (1949).

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army reacted on Sunday by stating that the United States had “openly exaggerated” the passage of ships through the strait.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said the two Ticonderoga-class ships, the USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville, made routine transit Sunday through waters where freedom of navigation and flight on the high seas apply, in accordance with the right international.

Washington has said its position on Taiwan remains unchanged and accuses China of threatening peace in the Taiwan Strait, using Pelosi’s visit as a pretext for military exercises.

with AFP