Key Takeaways:

• Two US Navy ships conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait, marking the first such mission since President Trump took office.
• The Chinese military condemned the transit, claiming it increases security risks and asserting its sovereignty over Taiwan.
• This transit is consistent with US operations in the region that emphasize freedom of navigation under international law.

This week, two vessels of the U.S. Navy transited the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait, marking the first naval mission under President Donald Trump’s administration. The ships, the USS Ralph Johnson, a guided-missile destroyer, and the USNS Bowditch, a survey ship, sailed through the strait from February 10 to February 12. This movement has drawn significant ire from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and perceives U.S. military actions in the region as provocations.

According to the Chinese military, the Eastern Theatre Command stated that they had dispatched forces to monitor the U.S. patrol closely, emphasizing, “The U.S. action sends the wrong signals and increases security risks.” The statement reflects ongoing tensions as Beijing routinely maintains a military presence in the Taiwan Strait, viewing it as a critical area for asserting its claims over Taiwan.

The U.S. Navy, maintaining that its operations are routine and within international law, underscored the mission's legitimacy by citing that the transit occurred in a corridor beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas, which permits the freedom of navigation for all nations. Commander Matthew Comer from the Indo-Pacific Command noted, “Within this corridor, all nations enjoy high-seas freedom of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea.”

A heightened state of alert has been declared by the Chinese military, which reiterated its commitment to defending national sovereignty and regional stability. As part of its ongoing efforts, Chinese air and naval forces routinely engage in extensive operations around Taiwan, with Taiwan's defense ministry reporting recent activity of 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels in the vicinity of the island within a 24-hour period.

The U.S. naval presence in the region serves as a reminder of ongoing geopolitical challenges, and Taiwan’s government under President Lai Ching-te has reiterated its stance against Beijing's claims. “Only Taiwan's people can decide their future,” said Lai, reinforcing the island's self-governing position amidst increasing pressure from mainland China.

For further details, you can read more on Voice of America and Newsweek.