China Is NOT Happy: U.S. Navy Ships Just Showed Who’s In Charge

Two U.S. Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, challenging China’s territorial claims and reaffirming America’s commitment to freedom of navigation in the region.

At a Glance

  • USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch transited the Taiwan Strait from February 10 to 12
  • The passage was closely monitored by China’s People’s Liberation Army
  • U.S. maintains the transit occurred in international waters, beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas
  • China criticized the action, claiming it increased security risks in the region
  • Taiwan’s Defense Ministry expressed support for the U.S. operation

U.S. Navy Asserts Freedom of Navigation

In a move that has heightened tensions between the United States and China, two U.S. Navy vessels, the USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch, conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait from February 10 to 12. This operation, the first of its kind under the Trump administration, serves as a clear assertion of the U.S. commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in the region.

The U.S. just showed China who is really in charge here.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command emphasized the routine nature of this kind of movement, stating that ships have been navigating this corridor for years. They further clarified the legal basis for the operation, explaining, “The transit occurred through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that is beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas. Within this corridor all nations enjoy high-seas freedom of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms.”

As expected, the Chinese government strongly opposed the U.S. Naval operation. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command closely monitored the transit, with naval and air forces tracking the American vessels throughout their journey. This surveillance underscores the heightened state of alert maintained by Chinese forces in the region.

“The US’s actions sent the wrong signals and increased security risks. The troops of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times to resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability,” PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesman senior Capt. Li Xi said.

The sharp reaction from Beijing highlights the ongoing dispute over the status of the Taiwan Strait. While China considers these waters part of its territorial sea, the international community, led by the United States, maintains that the strait constitutes international waters open to free navigation.

Taiwan’s Position and U.S. Support

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has expressed agreement with the U.S. action, emphasizing the importance of regional peace and navigation freedom. This support from Taipei underscores the complex relationship between Taiwan, China, and the United States. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), has never been governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which nonetheless claims sovereignty over the island.

The transit by two U.S. warships, rather than the more common single-ship passage, is viewed as a strong statement of U.S. policy continuity and emphasis on Taiwan Strait security. This move comes at a time when some U.S. lawmakers are calling for a reevaluation of the One China policy, with a resolution by 24 representatives advocating for ending this policy and restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

As tensions in the region continue to simmer, the United States remains committed to its strategy of maintaining a strong presence in the Taiwan Strait. This approach aims to curb China’s regional influence and support Taiwan’s sovereignty in the face of Beijing’s increasingly aggressive diplomatic and military maneuvers. The delicate balance of power in the strait remains a critical factor in global maritime security and regional stability.

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