United States Missile Destroyer Transits In Taiwan Strait, China: Threatens Peace

Kapal Amerika Serikat USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54). (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Navy/Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom)

JAKARTA - The Chinese authorities are furious and accuse the United States (US) of threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with the presence of the warship Uncle Sam's country in the region.

The statement was issued by China's Eastern Theater Command, along with the presence of the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) Missile Destroyer, which is under the command of the US Navy's 7th Fleet in the Taiwan Strait.

The US Navy's 7th Fleet said its ships were making regular transits in the Taiwan Strait on Tuesdays, by international law.

"The transit of ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows", said the 7th Fleet in a statement to Reuters on Wednesday 19 May.

However, China did not accept this. A spokesman for China's Eastern Theater Command expressed objection and condemned this move because it was carried out amid increasing tensions between China and Taiwan.

"The US action sends the wrong signal to Taiwanese independence forces, deliberately disrupting the regional situation and jeopardizing peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," condemned a spokesman for China's Eastern Theater Command.

China's Eastern Theater Command tracked and monitored the ship during its voyage, "the statement added.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the US ship had sailed south through the strait and the situation was as usual.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated in recent months, along with the presence of warships and fighter jets belonging to China near Taiwanese territory.

Early last month, China sent the Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Combat Group to hold exercises near Taiwanese waters. A week later, 15 Chinese aircraft, including 12 warplanes, approached Taiwan's air defense zone.

The Chinese Navy said it was sending the Liaoning Carrier, the first aircraft carrier in China's military ranks, to conduct exercises to protect China's sovereignty in these waters.

In response, the Missile Destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) docked four times in the Taiwan Strait during February - April. Despite criticism from China, the United States will continue to present its military in the region.