U.S. warships transit Taiwan Strait, first since Pelosi visitWASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Two U.S. Navy warships sailed through international waters in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, the first such operation since a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged China which regards the island as its territory.
The U.S. Navy, confirming a Reuters report, said cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam were carrying out the ongoing operation. Such operations usually take eight to 12 hours to complete and are closely monitored by China's military. read more
In recent years, U.S. warships, and on occasion those from allied nations such as Britain and Canada, have routinely sailed through the strait, drawing the ire of China which claims Taiwan against the objections of its democratically elected government.
Pelosi's Taiwan trip in early August infuriated China which saw it as a U.S. attempt to interfere in its internal affairs. China subsequently launched military drills near the island which have since continued. read more
"These (U.S.) ships transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state," the U.S. Navy said.
The operation demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the U.S. military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows, the Navy said.
John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, echoed that position on CNN, saying the ships' passage was "very consistent" with the U.S. "one-China" policy and of seeking "a free and open Indo-Pacific."
Kirby added that the operation was planned long ago...............
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-us-warships-carrying-out-taiwan-strait-passage-first-since-pelosi-2022-08-28/
