Under Biden, first US warship sails via Taiwan strait

BEIJING: A US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday for the first time under the new Joe Biden administration, prompting a strong response from Beijing as the two countries cautiously tread the waters after four years of Trump presidency saw increased tensions between the world powers.

The 7th Fleet’s guided missile destroyer USS John S McCain transited through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. “The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S McCain (DDG 56) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit Feb 4 (local time) in accordance with international law,” Lt Joe Keiley, the 7th Fleet’s spokesperson, said in a statement.

“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” Keiley said.

Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed the passage without identifying the vessel.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the country was “closely monitoring” the situation.

Beijing views any ships passing through the strait a breach of its sovereignty; the US and many other nations view the route as international waters open to all.

China claims the democratically run Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly expressed anger as Washington stepped up support for the island, including arms sales and sailing warships.

On December 31, two US warships sailed through the strait, drawing a protest from Beijing.