US Navy Ships Navigate Taiwan Strait, Sparking China's Strong Response
Two U.S. Navy vessels made a significant transit through the Taiwan Strait this week, marking the first such mission under President Donald Trump's administration. The operation has drawn strong criticism from China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and sees these actions as raising security risks.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that the ships, the USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch, carried out the north-to-south passage between February 10-12. Despite the mission occurring in international waters, China’s military expressed concerns, stating that such actions send the wrong signals and heighten security risks.
China considers Taiwan a "core interest," and the increasing U.S. military presence in the region continues to strain Sino-U.S. relations. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defense ministry remained vigilant but reported normalcy, as China continues its military presence around the island.
This mission follows other similar U.S. Navy operations, though China's reaction highlights the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.