US, Canadian warships sail through Taiwan Strait ‘to provoke’ China

The US military has announced that two American and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait last week in what China called an attempt “to provoke and stir up trouble” in the strait.

The US military dispatched Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey through the waterway that separates China from Chinese Taipei, which Beijing considers a part of the mainland.  

According to Press TV, the Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg also went through the waterway.

The US military said on Sunday both ships sailed through the waterway on Thursday and Friday.

"Dewey's and Winnipeg's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," said the military, according to Reuters. 

‘US policy hypocritical, at a minimum’

American journalist Don DeBar called that policy hypocritical, at a minimum.

“I would love to see what would happen if Texas or Florida or both decided to secede from the US and Russia and/or China offered to arm them and help them ‘defend their sovereignty or freedom,” he commented to Press TV.

“Unfortunately, if that does happen, it will happen right before we see that bright flash that every person on this planet knows - somewhere in their unconscious - means the end of our species. Because those weapons are in the hands of the craziest people that ever lived, with trillions of dollars backing them up,” he added.

China condemns the US, Australian 'provocations'   

China denounced the passing of the two US and Australian military maneuvers as a threat to "peace and stability."

"The United States and Canada colluded to provoke and stir up trouble... seriously jeopardizing peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," said China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command. "Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. Theatre forces always maintain a high level of alert and resolutely counter all threats and provocations."

China has accused Washington of heightening tensions in the region by sending warships that have been traveling through the Taiwan Strait about every month.

ME