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TAIPEI / WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States sent two warships into the Taiwan Strait on Monday during the second operation of its kind this year, as the US military increased the frequency of crossings Strategic navigable despite the opposition of China.
The trip may exacerbate tensions with China, but will likely be seen in Taiwan's self-government as a sign of support from President Donald Trump's government, in the context of growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.
Reuters was the first to report on Saturday the review of the delicate operation by the United States.
"The passage of ships in the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," said Commander Nate Christensen, Deputy Fleet Spokesman American Pacific, in a statement.
"The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits," he added.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said it was closely monitoring the operation and was able to "maintain the security of the seas and airspace" when it occurred.
There was no immediate comment from China.
The US Navy conducted a similar mission in the international waters of the Strait in July, which was the first of its kind in about a year. The last operation shows that the US Navy is increasing the pace of crossings in the Strait.
Washington has no official connection with Taiwan, but is required by law to help defend itself and is the main source of arms for the island. The Pentagon said that Washington has sold more than $ 15 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan since 2010.
STATUS QUO?
China regards Taiwan as a lost province and is putting more and more pressure on claiming sovereignty over the island. He raised concerns about US policy towards Taiwan during last week's talks with US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis in Singapore.
While the United States was preparing for a new crossing in the Strait, they told the Chinese army that its general policy towards Taiwan was unchanged.
Mattis handed this message to Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe personally on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia Security Forum.
"Minister Wei talked about Taiwan and concerns about our policy. The Secretary assured Minister Wei that we have not changed our Taiwan policy, our one-China policy, "US Defense Secretary Randall Schriver, who leads the Pentagon's Asia policy, told reporters. .
"So, that was, I think, a familiar exchange."
Taiwan is just one of many hot spots in US-China relations, which also include a fierce trade war, US sanctions, and China's increasingly military military stance in the South China Sea.
Relations between Taiwan and China have deteriorated since the island's president, Tsai Ing-wen, from the Progressive Democratic and Independence Party, came to power in 2016.
Beijing, which has never given up the use of force to put Taiwan under its control, responded to the July passage by warning the United States to avoid compromising "peace and security." stability "in the strategic waterway.
He also noted with concern the US's opening of Taiwan, including the unveiling of a new de facto embassy in Taiwan and the adoption of the Taiwan Travel Law, which encourages US authorities to visit Taiwan. .
According to military experts, the balance of power between Taiwan and China has shifted significantly in favor of China in recent years, and China could easily overwhelm the island if US forces failed to provide aid quickly. from Taiwan.
China has also alarmed Taiwan by stepping up its military exercises this year, including launching bombers and other military planes around the island and sending its aircraft carrier by airlift. narrow strait of Taiwan separating it from Taiwan.
Report by Yimou Lee in Taipei and Lee Chyen Yee in Singapore; Written by Phil Stewart in Washington; Edited by Toby Chopra and Bill Berkrot
