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The United States has sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait in the first such operation this year, the Taiwanese Government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway amid tensions with China.
Key points:
- Taiwan’s Government confirmed US Pacific Command sent through two warships
- The US has stressed the move was in accordance with international law
- China hit back by urging the US to respect its One China policy
US Pacific Fleet spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Tim Gorman told CNN USS McCampbell and USNS Water S Diehl “conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit” under international law.
The voyage risks further heightening tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a statement late on Thursday the ships were moving in a northerly direction and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.
It said Taiwan closely monitored the operation to “ensure the security of the seas and regional stability”.
The move will likely be viewed in Taiwan as a sign of support from US President Donald Trump’s Government amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.
China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016.
It has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills in the past few years.
Beijing sent several bombers and aircraft through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, earlier on Thursday, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said in a separate statement.
A similar Chinese operation was conducted on Tuesday, the ministry said, and both were monitored closely.
Independence to be fought with force: Xi
In response to this latest US operation, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told Washington to abide by the “One China” principle — Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.
The US and its allies have previously refused to bow to Chinese claims, but most have stopped short of recognising Taiwan’s independence.
Currently, only 17 countries recognise Taiwan, and as a consequence they do not have any official relations with Beijing.
Over recent years, Beijing has been able to force businesses to bend to its claims, too, with Qantas and another 36 air carriers ordered to list Taiwan as a territory instead of a separate country in June 2018.
This pressure is matched by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ratcheting up of rhetoric on the PRC’s claims over Taiwan earlier in January.
“We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means,” he said.
In response, Ms Tsai vowed to defend the island’s democracy and called for international support to protect Taiwan’s way of life.
Mr Trump recently signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, reaffirming the US commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales.
Washington has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help it defend itself and is its main source of arms.
ABC/Reuters
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