The US has deployed two of its warships to the Taiwan Strait in a first such mission since the controversial visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei, the Navy said on Saturday.
USS Chancellorsville and USS Antietam, which are both Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers, are sailing through international waters in the area, according to a statement from the US 7th fleet.
According to the US 7th fleet, the warship transit is “routine” and “demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific”. The statement went on to stress that the mission is being conducted “in accordance with international law”.
The Chinese military has been put on high alert due to the ships’ passage and is ready “to stop any provocations in a timely manner” , Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said.
The US Navy’s so-called freedom of navigation operations tend to draw anger from Beijing.