US Warships Crossed The Taiwan Strait Twice, What's Wrong?

Illustration of a spaceship from a warship (doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) warship stopped off in the Taiwan Strait for the second time in the last two weeks. The reason for the crossing of the warship is not yet known, especially since there is indeed a tense relationship between China and the US.

Information regarding the stopover of US warships was conveyed by the US Navy and the Taiwan Defense Authority. The US Navy says the warship USS Halsey conducts "routine transit activities in the Taiwan Strait" that comply with international law.

It is known that the US warship that stopped by and crossed the Taiwan Strait was the USS Halsey. Warships equipped with missile blocking systems.

"The transit of US ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate in all areas permitted by international law," said US Seventh War Fleet spokesman Reann. Mommsen was quoted as saying by Antara, Monday, August 31.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Defense Authority said the US warship was sailing through the Taiwan Strait heading south. The ship, according to Taiwan, was carrying out an ordinary mission and the situation was quite normal, authorities said without giving further details.

Not only USS Halsey, another US warship, USS Mustin, also sailed through the Taiwan Strait on August 18, 2020. According to the Chinese military, the move was considered "quite dangerous".

The US and China have stepped up military activity around Taiwan, an autonomous island claimed under Chinese sovereignty, as well as in the South China Sea. Taiwan's leader, Tsai Ing-wen, last week warned of the threat of conflict amid a battle between the US and Chinese militaries.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Authorities in China have also not eliminated the possibility that it will deploy troops to enforce sovereignty on the autonomous and democratic island. The US is by far the main supplier of weapons to Taiwan, and also Taiwan's most important supporter in international forums.