Washington [US], May 8: A US warship passed through the Taiwan Strait on May 8, less than two weeks before Taiwan's new leader took office.
The US Navy 's 7th Fleet announced that the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey made a "routine transit of the Taiwan Strait " on May 8 "through waters where freedom of navigation rights prevail." and maritime aviation are applied in accordance with international law," according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Chinese military announced that it had sent its navy and air force to monitor and warn the US warship throughout the journey and "handle it according to laws and regulations". "Soldiers are always on high alert and will resolutely protect national sovereignty, security as well as peace and stability in the region," China's Eastern War Region emphasized in a statement.
Taiwan's Defense Agency said the US warship sailed south through the Taiwan Strait and Taiwanese forces monitored the situation but did not see anything unusual.
However, according to Reuters, the timing of the USS Halsey passing through the Taiwan Strait is extremely sensitive, because this event takes place before the inauguration of Taiwanese leader-elect Lai Thanh Duc . Mr. Lai, currently Taiwan's deputy leader, has repeatedly proposed negotiations with China but was rejected because of his stance in favor of official independence for Taiwan. China views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and does not rule out the possibility of using force to unify it if necessary.
Taiwan is on alert for any Chinese military exercises around the island before and after Mr. Lai's inauguration, according to Reuters.
Over the past four years, the Chinese military has increased activities around Taiwan, such as sending fighter jets to fly across the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
This morning, May 9, in its daily report on China's military activities in the previous 24 hours, the Taiwan Defense Agency said it had detected 4 Chinese aircraft crossing the median line, flying near the islands. Penghu Island belongs to Taiwan, where there is a large air force base, according to Reuters.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
