China has closely monitored the passage of a U.S. Navy warship through the Taiwan Strait, a move Beijing described as “deliberate provocation” amid escalating tensions over Taiwan and broader regional security.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn conducted a routine transit through the strategic waterway on Tuesday, emphasizing that the operation was conducted “in accordance with international law” and underscoring the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In response, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had tracked and monitored the vessel throughout its passage. PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Col. Shi Yi stated that Chinese forces “remained on high alert” and took “necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and security.”
The Taiwan Strait, a 110-mile-wide body of water separating mainland China from self-governed Taiwan, has become a flashpoint in the intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing. While the U.S. maintains that such transits are standard under international maritime law, China views them as an infringement on its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense acknowledged the transit, reporting that the situation remained “stable” and under control, and said it had monitored the operation without incident.
This latest development comes on the heels of increased military activity by China around Taiwan, including recent air and naval drills that Taipei has called a rehearsal for a potential blockade or invasion.
Diplomatic analysts suggest that the U.S. move signals continued support for Taiwan in the face of mounting pressure from Beijing, though it also risks further straining already fragile U.S.-China relations.
source: aa.com.tr