US Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Angers China

Voice of America News reports: “A U.S. warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which China calls provocative.

In recent years, U.S. warships, and on occasion those from allied nations such as Britain and Canada, have sailed through the strait, drawing the ire of China, which claims Taiwan against the objections of its democratically elected government.

In a statement, the U.S. military said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Chung-Hoon carried out the transit.

‘Chung-Hoon’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,’ the statement added.

In a statement, Liu Pengyu, spokesman for China’s embassy in Washington, said China firmly opposed the move and urged the United States to ‘immediately stop provoking troubles, escalating tensions and undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.’

‘U.S. warships frequently flex muscles in the name of exercising freedom of navigation. This is not about keeping the region free and open,’ the statement said…”

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