The US Navy announced that its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a “freedom of navigation” operation, days after China conducted military exercises around the island.
A statement from the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet said the warship conducted a “routine transit of the Taiwan Strait” on Sunday, in waters “where freedom of navigation and overflight on the high seas applies in accordance with international law.”
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to one day bring the self-governing island under its control.
On April 8, Beijing conducted 3-day military maneuvers around Taiwan, which included simulating targeted strikes and imposing a blockade on the island.
On Monday, the Seventh Fleet account published pictures on Twitter of the crew looking at the Taiwan Strait, which is one of the most important waterways in the world.
American commitment
“The ship passed through a passage in the strait that is outside the territorial waters of any coastal country,” the navy statement added, stressing that sailing through the strait shows the United States’ commitment to a free and open Asia-Pacific region.
“The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows,” he added.
Beijing’s military exercises around Taiwan were conducted in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s recent visit to the United States, where she was received by US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
On the final day of the maneuvers last week, the destroyer USS Milius sailed into waters claimed by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing described the operation as an illegal incursion that took place “without the consent of the Chinese government”.
