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The US Navy said the operation of the two warships was the second such mission this month. The operation comes nearly two weeks after the Chinese carrier battle group crossed the same waterway. (Read: FPI, a prohibited organization in Indonesia, is in the spotlight of the world )
China still claims democratically self-governing Taiwan as its territory and is angry with increasing US support for the island, including arms sales. The Washington warship operation has further exacerbated US-China relations.
US Navy, as quoted Reuters, said the guided missile destroyers USS John S McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur had transited the Taiwan Strait regularly on December 31 in accordance with international law.
“The transit of ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, “the US Navy said.
This is the 13th voyage through the Taiwan Strait by U.S. Navy warships this year.
China’s Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond. (Also read: Trump Threatens Iran, US B-52 Bombers Roam the Gulf )
On December 19, the Chinese military claimed to have trailed a US warship while crossing the Taiwan Strait, and denounced the American mission.
The day after that, the Taiwanese Navy and Air Force deployed a number of warships and aircraft after a Chinese carrier strike group led by the country’s newest carrier, Shandong, sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
China says the Shandong carrier strike group is on its way for routine military exercises in the disputed South China Sea.
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