The United States Navy destroyer USS Ralph Johnson conducted a "routine transit" through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, prompting a strong reaction from China.
According to a report by Newsweek, this passage marks the first such operation in over three months, reigniting tensions in the region.
The USS Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer equipped with naval artillery and up to 96 missiles, navigated the 110-mile-wide waterway separating China and Taiwan. The U.S. Navy emphasized that the ship transited through a corridor beyond any coastal state's territorial sea, adhering to international law principles of freedom of navigation and overflight.
Chinese Military Monitors US Vessel's Movement
China's Eastern Theater Command, responsible for overseeing the Taiwan Strait area, responded swiftly to the U.S. warship's presence. Li Xi, spokesperson for the command, stated that Chinese air and naval forces monitored the vessel's transit in accordance with the law.
The Chinese military maintains a significant presence in the region, deploying multiple aircraft and warships daily. Beijing has consistently asserted its claim of "sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction" over the Taiwan Strait, a stance contested by the United States and its allies, including Taiwan.
China's ongoing military pressure on Taiwan reflects its refusal to renounce the potential use of force to resolve cross-strait issues, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the area.
US Navy Reaffirms Commitment To Freedom Of Navigation
The U.S. Navy's statement regarding the transit emphasized Washington's dedication to upholding the principle of freedom of navigation. The naval forces articulated their position, stating:
No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms. The ship transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. The transit demonstrated the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
This assertion underscores the ongoing tension between China's territorial claims and the international community's stance on maritime rights in the region.
Recent Military Activities In The Taiwan Strait
The USS Ralph Johnson's passage through the Taiwan Strait is part of a broader pattern of military activities in the area. Prior to this transit, the last U.S. warship to navigate the strait was the USS Halsey on May 8, a sister ship of the Ralph Johnson.
International allies have also conducted similar operations in recent months. On July 31, the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Montréal sailed through the waterway from north to south. These movements by various nations' naval forces highlight the strategic importance of the Taiwan Strait in regional geopolitics.
US Military Operations In Surrounding Waters
The day before its Taiwan Strait transit, the USS Ralph Johnson was active near two other significant waterways in the region - the Miyako Strait and Luzon Strait. These operations suggest a broader strategic approach by the U.S. military in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Miyako Strait, part of the first island chain extending from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines, serves as a crucial gateway for naval and air force deployments to the Philippine Sea and wider Pacific Ocean. Similarly, the Luzon Strait, situated between Taiwan and the Philippines, is another strategic passage connecting the South China Sea to the Philippine Sea.
Collaborative Military Exercises In The Region
In conjunction with its Taiwan Strait transit, the USS Ralph Johnson participated in combined operations near the Miyako Strait with the amphibious assault ship USS America. These exercises included the deployment of F-35B "Lightning II" stealth fighter jets aboard the USS America, loaded with air-to-air missiles.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command stated that these operations in and around critical sea passages and trade routes are aimed at deterring potential threats. This coordinated military presence demonstrates the United States' commitment to maintaining a strategic posture in the region.
In conclusion, the USS Ralph Johnson's transit through the Taiwan Strait has once again brought attention to the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region. China's protest and monitoring of the U.S. warship underscore the ongoing tensions between Beijing and Washington regarding maritime rights and freedom of navigation. As both nations continue to assert their positions, the Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of international attention and strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific region.
