US Navy destroyer ‘sails through Taiwan Strait’

The US Navy says one of its guided-missile destroyers has sailed through the strategic Taiwan Strait, a provocative move likely to anger China.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, the US Pacific Fleet said that USS McCampbell (DDG 85) had “transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday,” showing images of the “forward-deployed US 7th Fleet guided-missile destroyer” on the way.

Taiwan’s defense ministry also said in a statement that the American military vessel had sailed south on what it described as an “ordinary mission,” adding that it was continuing in that direction.

There was no immediate comment from China, but it is expected to object.

Taipei views such US military measures as a sign of support amid its tensions with China.

Beijing has sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, and under the “One China” policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty.

The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter Beijing. Taiwan is one of a number of sticking points in the US-China relationship.

The latest move by the US Navy came just a week before Tsai’s inauguration for a second and final term as president of the self-ruled island.

SS