US coastguard cutter takes part in ‘freedom of navigation’ in Taiwan Strait for the first time
- Vessel was in region as part of UN sanctions enforcement operation against North Korea, analyst says
The United States sent a guided-missile destroyer and a coastguard vessel through the Taiwan Strait at the weekend, the US Seventh Fleet said.
It was the first such voyage involving a coastguard ship.
“USS Curtis Wilbur and the coastguard cutter USCGC Bertholf conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit [on] March 24-25 in accordance with international law,” US Seventh Fleet spokesman Lieutenant Joseph Keiley said on Monday.
“The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”
On Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry said it was monitoring the warships and had “lodged a representation to the US”.
“China has closely monitored and been fully aware of American warships sailing through the Taiwan Strait,” ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.