US warships cross the Taiwan Strait in a context of heightened tension with Beijing



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Two US warships crossed the Taiwan Strait on Saturday during a trip that will likely be perceived on the self-proclaimed island as a sign of support from President Donald Trump in a context of heightened tension with the United States. China

made a routine transit through the international waters of the Taiwan Strait from July 7 to 8 (local time), "Captain Charlie Brown, a spokesman for the US Pacific Fleet, told Reuters

]. The South China Sea and the East China Sea pass through the Taiwan Strait and have done so for many years, "said Mr. Brown

. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said destroyers Mustin and Benfold had made the crossing.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that the ships were heading northeast, adding that the situation was in line with the regulations. 19659002] Washington has no formal ties with Taiwan but is required by law to help defend itself and is the main source of arms of the island. China regularly says that Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in its relations with the United States.

The passage through the Taiwan Strait, the first by a US Navy ship in about a year, follows a series of Chinese military exercises around the "The United States exacerbate tensions in the Taiwan Strait ", writes the Chinese tabloid" The Global Times ", published by the Peoples Daily, on Twitter

. The navy must have monitored the situation and has it under control, said an expert on military affairs after two US Navy ships crossed the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, "he added. [19659002] China claims Taiwan as its and has never given up force to put under its control what it regards as a capricious province.Taiwan has shown no interest in being ruled by the Communist Party The move comes as a trade war between the US and China continues for a potentially protracted period, as the world's two largest economies stretch out their arms. reported last month that the United States planned to send a warship and had reviewed the plans for an aircraft carrier crossing, but eventually did not pursue this option perhaps because of concerns about e China.

The last time an American aircraft carrier crossed the Taiwan Strait was in 2007, under the administration of George W. Bush, and some US military officials believe that it was the first time that a US aircraft carrier crossed the Taiwan Strait in 2007 under the a carrier transit is late.

the openings to Taiwan, since the unveiling of a new de facto embassy until the adoption of the Taiwan Travel Law, which encourages US officials to visit, have further exacerbated tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

U.S. Defense Minister Jim Mattis spoke about the delicate issue of Taiwan during his trip to China last month.

"US sends military ships to Taiwan Strait to demonstrate continued support for Taiwan and its desire to exercise maritime rights" China has alarmed Taiwan by increasing military exercises this year, including included flying bombers and other military planes around the island.

In recent months, the Chinese Air Force has organized military maneuvers near the island, which Taipei has described as intimidation.

China's hostility towards Taiwan has increased since Tsai Ing. wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential elections on the island in 2016.

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