U.S. Ships Did Something UNTHINKABLE Near China

Two U.S. Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, igniting tensions with China and reaffirming America’s commitment to freedom of navigation in the region.

At a Glance

  • USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch transited the Taiwan Strait from February 10 to 12
  • The passage was closely monitored by China’s People’s Liberation Army
  • U.S. maintains the transit occurred in international waters, beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas
  • China criticized the action, claiming it increased security risks in the region
  • Taiwan’s Defense Ministry expressed support for the U.S. action

U.S. Navy Asserts Freedom of Navigation

Two U.S. Navy vessels, the USS Ralph Johnson and USNS Bowditch, conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait from February 10 to 12. This marks the first such operation since the Trump administration took office, signaling a continuation of America’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

That’s…huge.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command emphasized the routine nature of these transits, stating that ships have been moving between the East China Sea and the South China Sea via the Taiwan Strait for many years. However, the presence of two warships instead of one is being interpreted as a strong statement of U.S. policy continuity and a renewed emphasis on Taiwan Strait security.

The Chinese military’s response was swift. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Air Force tracked the U.S. vessels throughout their journey, maintaining a vigilant presence in the strait. This close monitoring underscores the heightened tensions between the two superpowers in the region.

“The US’s actions sent the wrong signals and increased security risks. The troops of the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times to resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability,” PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesman senior Capt. Li Xi said.

China’s strong reaction stems from its claim that the Taiwan Strait falls within its territorial waters, a position that is not recognized by the international community. The U.S. and its allies maintain that the strait constitutes international waters, where freedom of navigation should be upheld.

Taiwan’s Stance and International Implications

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has expressed agreement with the U.S. action, highlighting the importance of regional peace and navigation freedom. This support from Taipei further complicates the already tense relationship between China and Taiwan, with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claiming sovereignty over the island despite never having ruled it.

“Ships transit between the East China Sea and the South China Sea via the Taiwan Strait and have done so for many years. The transit occurred through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that is beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas. Within this corridor all nations enjoy high-seas freedom of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said.

The recent transit by U.S. Navy ships comes at a time when 24 U.S. lawmakers have called for ending the One China policy and restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This resolution, supported by Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, criticizes the CCP’s suppression of Taiwan and signals a potential shift in U.S. policy towards the region.

As tensions continue to simmer in the Taiwan Strait, the international community watches closely. The U.S. Navy’s recent actions serve as a reminder of America’s commitment to its allies in the region and its determination to uphold the principles of free navigation in international waters. How China responds to these challenges in the coming weeks and months will likely shape the future of East Asian geopolitics and global maritime security.

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