Mainland China air, sea forces monitor USS Halsey’s Taiwan Strait transit
- The ‘routine’ operation on Wednesday passed without incident but comes as independence-leaning Lai heads to May 20 presidential inauguration
- Taiwanese defence ministry says its monitoring observed nothing unusual, adding that 4 PLA aircraft flew near the island in 24 hours to Thursday morning
“Troops in the theatre remain on high alert at all times and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” he said.
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Taiwan drives away mainland Chinese coastguard in series of tense exchanges
The US Navy’s Seventh Fleet said the USS Halsey conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit through waters where “high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law”.
“The ship transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state [and] demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” it said.
“No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows.”
The Taiwanese defence ministry said on Thursday morning that its forces monitored the situation as the US ship sailed south through the strait and observed nothing unusual.