Taiwan says two US warships cross the Taiwan Strait

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 tensions with the United States. China
. The ships were moving north-east, adding that the situation was in line with the regulations.
Washington has no formal ties with Taiwan but is required by law to help defend itself and is the main source of arms for the island. China regularly says that Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in its relations with the United States.
The US military refused to comment. US officials told Reuters that a strait crossing had been planned, but refused to spell out the timing of such an operation, which would be the first of a US Navy ship in about a year.
The mission follows a series of Chinese military exercises on the island that fueled tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
China claims Taiwan as its country and has never given up the use of force to bring under its control what it regards as a capricious province. Taiwan has shown no interest in being ruled by the ruling Communist Party in Beijing.
The move comes as a trade war between the United States and China extends for a potentially protracted period, while the world's two largest economies show no sign of negotiations to ease tensions.
Friday marked the beginning of US bonds that were promptly repressed by China, with Beijing accusing the United States of triggering the "commercial war on a larger scale".
reported last month that the United States was planning to send a warship and had considered plans for an aircraft carrier crossing, but eventually did not pursue this option perhaps in because of concerns about China.
The Strait was in 2007, under the administration of George W. Bush, and some US military officials believe that a carrier transit is late.
US Openings to Taiwan, Unveiling a New De facto China has alarmed Taiwan by increasing its military drills this year, including 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 to Taiwan has increased since Tsai Ing. Wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential elections on the island in 2016.