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“The Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) made a routine transit in the Taiwan Strait on July 28 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law,” the 7th Fleet said in a statement. Sputnik, Thursday (29/7/2021).
The US Navy says the transit demonstrates the United States’ commitment to the region Indo-Pacific which is free and open and will continue to operate wherever international law permits it.
Benfold carried out what the US government described as a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea in early July China responded by accusing the United States of misconduct.
Also read: China Stifles US Military Activities in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait Increases
China has always considered Taiwan as part of its territory, even threatening to use violence to unite the territory.
On the other hand, Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to adhere to the ‘one-China’ principle and not to take any actions that would damage Sino-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing has also asked the US to stop carrying out military maneuvers in and around the disputed waters off China’s coast.
The Chinese military previously condemned the transit of another Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Curtis Wilbur, through the Taiwan Strait in June. A spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, Zhang Chunhui, at the time suggested that the move was deliberately undermining regional security as well as undermining peace and stability.
Also read: Warships often transit the Taiwan Strait, China is the US stamp of troublemaker
U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister Wendy Sherman, during a previous meeting with Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister and State Adviser Wang Yi, raised concerns about Beijing’s position in the Taiwan Strait.
(ian)
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