The US Navy said the two warships sailed in international waters in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday for the first time since escalating tensions with China over the visit of US House of Representatives spokesperson Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. In the statement made by the US 7th Fleet, it was stated that the guided missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville routinely passed through the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military, on the other hand, declared that it had entered a “vigilance state” after the incident.
“US ARMY FLY, FLOATS AND ACTIVITIES EVERYWHERE”
The statement of the fleet included the following statements:
“The passage of ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US military flies, floats and operates wherever international law allows.”
The passage of ships from the UK and Canada, as well as US warships, through the strait in recent years has caused outrage in Beijing.
CHINA HAS BEEN AWARE
In a statement made by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Front Command, it was stated that “the passage of USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville ships through the Taiwan Strait was monitored”, “the soldiers are on the alert and ready to repel any provocation.”
White House Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said on August 12 that “the United States will resume standard air and sea crossings through the Taiwan Strait in the coming weeks.”
Considering Taiwan as part of its territory, China sees the Bosphorus as its territorial waters and sovereignty. The US Navy, on the other hand, argues that it has the right of way within the scope of freedom of navigation in what it sees as “international waters”.
PELOSI’S VISIT AND RISING MILITARY TENSION
Pelosi became the first Speaker of the US House of Representatives to visit the island, which is in a sovereignty conflict with China, in 25 years. The visit drew the reaction of China, which saw the island as part of its territory.
The Chinese army started military exercises around the island after the visit. The exercises, which lasted for 7 days, had created a de facto blockade around the island. During exercises using real weapons and ammunition, guided missiles fired from mainland China fell into the waters near Taiwan.
The army spokesman announced that the exercises were completed on August 10, but stated that the military patrol activity in the Taiwan Strait would continue.
After his visit, flights and patrols became regular, as Chinese military warplanes and warships crossed the nominal “middle line” separating the Taiwan Strait.
Following Speaker of the House of Representatives Pelosi, a 5-member delegation headed by Democratic Party Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, Indiana State Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Republican Party Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee also visited Taiwan this month.
Beijing, emphasizing the “one China principle”, opposes Taiwan’s establishing independent diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, its representation in the United Nations and other international organizations, and stipulates that the countries that recognize it should break their diplomatic relations with Taiwan. (AA)