US Navy Warship Transits Through Taiwan Strait

According to the US Navy, an American destroyer passed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, undoubtedly upsetting Beijing.

In compliance with international law, the guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon "conducted a normal Taiwan Strait transit Jan. 5 (local time) through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply," according to a statement from the Navy.

The United States' dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific is demonstrated by Chung-passage Hoon's through the Taiwan Strait. Anywhere that international law permits, the US military can fly, sail, or conduct operations, it was added.

Taiwan is constantly in danger of being invaded by China, which considers the democratic, self-governing island to be a part of its territory that should one day be taken, by force if necessary.

Washington maintains de facto relations with Taiwan and supports the island's ability to determine its own future while diplomatically favouring Beijing over Taipei.

In August 2022, following Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei, tensions in the Taiwan Strait reached their greatest point in years. Beijing responded by organising days-long naval and aviation exercises all around the island.