National Security

US Navy Destroyers Sail Through Taiwan Strait In Defiance Of Beijing

(Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelsey L. Adams/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Andrew Jose Contributor
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The United States Navy conducted a rare display of force late Wednesday (or Thursday, local time) by sending two warships through the contested Taiwan Strait, irking China.

The maneuver was the 13th U.S. mission through the disputed strait this year but was the first time in 2020 when the Navy sent two destroyers there, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported(RELATED: American B-52s Fly Over Persian Gulf To Show Military Power As Tensions With Iran Heat Up)

The transit of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) through the Taiwan Strait, “in accordance with international law,” was a demonstration of “the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Navy announced Wednesday.

“The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.”

TAIWAN STRAIT (Dec. 30, 2020) Guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations in support of stability and security for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Sea control is foundational for all other naval missions that support the Joint Force, including power projection. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/US Navy)

The maneuver follows the Chinese Navy beginning three “massive” 10-day exercises simultaneously off its southern coast, in which China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier “Shandong” and the Type 075 amphibious assault will participate, on Tuesday, according to the SCMP. 

“The provocative actions of the U.S. military vessels sent erroneous signals to the ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces and severely jeopardized peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said, referring to the U.S. Navy’s recent show of force.

“The PLA keeps high alert all the time and is ready to respond to any threats and provocations and will resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” an official press release stated.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it had observed the American ships’ passage and that “the situation is normal,” according to the Associated Press (AP).

The U.S. sent the USS Mustin guided-missile destroyer through the Taiwan Strait early in December to demonstrate American commitment to “a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the SCMP reported. China followed up by sending its aircraft carrier Shandong through the waterway, according to SCMP.

Earlier on Wednesday, the U.S. conducted a similar demonstration of military power against Iran by flying B-52 bombers over the Persian Gulf, ostensibly cautioning Iran against threatening American interests in the region ahead of Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s first death anniversary.