Chinese naval vessels, aircraft closely monitor US ship USS Halsey’s Taiwan Strait transit

In a show of military discord just weeks ahead of Taipei’s presidential inauguration, Chinese naval vessels and aircraft closely observed the passage of a US naval ship through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, stating it was done “in compliance with laws and regulations.”

According to a South China Morning Post report, Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey was under continuous monitoring by both naval and air units throughout its transit.

“Troops in the theatre remain on high alert at all times and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,” South China Morning Post quoted Colonel Li as saying.

In a statement released by the 7th Fleet of the US Navy, it was announced that the USS Halsey had completed a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait, navigating waters where “high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law”.

“The ship transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state [and] demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” the statement said.

It further said that no nation should feel pressured or threatened into relinquishing its rights and liberties and the US military exercises its presence—by air, sea, and land—within the bounds of international law.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, the Taiwanese defence ministry said that its forces closely monitored the passage of the US ship through the strait and noted nothing unusual.

The ministry also said Taipei had detected four Chinese aircraft crossing the median line – a notional midpoint in the strait that separates Taiwan from the mainland – within the previous 24 hours.

The aircraft flew near Taiwan’s Penghu islands, which are home to a major Taiwanese airbase, according to the ministry.

Cross-strait tensions have soared since Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in 2016, angering Beijing which regards the island as part of its territory, that will eventually be brought under mainland control.

Although most countries, including the US, refrain from recognising Taiwan as an independent state, the US firmly opposes any unilateral alteration to the current state of affairs and remains committed to providing military support to Taipei.

In an unprecedented move, the DPP secured a third consecutive term in January, with the inauguration of William Lai Ching-te, the incumbent vice president, on May 20. Beijing has vehemently criticised Lai, labeling him as a “troublemaker” and a “obstinate separatist”.

At a press conference in April, Lai said he hoped “the ruling parties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will responsibly start healthy dialogues” to engage in exchanges and cooperation with Beijing “on the premise of reciprocity and dignity”.

He called on Beijing to :have confidence” in facing “the elected legitimate government entrusted by the people of Taiwan”.

With inputs from agencies