China-U.S Tensions Heighten After U.S Navy Destroyer Crosses the Taiwan Strait

China blamed the U.S for ‘abusing International Law’ and of ‘dangerous provocations’ in East Asia.

The statement came after U.S Navy Destroyer USS John Finn crossed the Strategic Taiwan Strait, marking the first transit of 2024. U.S Navy and Coast Guard Ships and Navy reconnaissance planes made 11 Transits from the Taiwan Strait in 2023.

The movement of the USS John Finn through the strategic waterway that distinguishes the democratically governed Taiwan from communist China was the first crossing of a U.S Navy Ship since elections in Taiwan 2 weeks ago.

Though the tensions between Taiwan and China are on the rise, the former conducted elections and the voters of the island showed their resilience against Chinese threats. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party scored a third-consecutive Presidential Victory.

China sees Taiwan as a part of its territory, despite having never controlled it. Xi Jinping had also said that they would use military force, if needed, to ‘reunify’ the island with mainland China.

Per the Taiwan Relations Act, the US has to help Taiwan defend itself, something which China sees as U.S. interference in its regional affairs.

In a statement on Wednesday, US Navy 7th Fleet spokesperson Cmdr. Meagan Greene said that the transit was in accordance with International Law since USS John Finn transited through a corridor in the strait, which is beyond the territorial waters of any coastal state.

The state-run news agency Xinhua cited that the root cause of China-US issues is the former’s military harassment, provocations and unlawful engagements in the maritime and aerial regions around China.

China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian urged the U.S to stop abusing International Law and cease provocations. At the beginning of this month, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. John Aquilino, blamed China for creating tensions.

References: Edition.CNN, Republic World

China-U.S Tensions Heighten After U.S Navy Destroyer Crosses the Taiwan Strait appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News