U.S. Navy's Taiwan Strait Transit Sparks Tensions

Two U.S. Navy ships navigated the Taiwan Strait, a move prompting China's condemnation due to increased security tensions. China considers the strait its territory, periodically patrolling it. Taiwan resists China's pressure, asserting its people's right to determine their future, while the U.S. conducts monthly transits.

In a significant maritime maneuver, two U.S. Navy vessels, the destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson and the survey ship Bowditch, traversed the contentious waters of the Taiwan Strait earlier this week. This marks the first such transit since President Donald Trump's inauguration, provoking a stern reaction from China.

The Eastern Theatre Command of China's military condemned the United States for escalating security issues. The U.S. Navy has made a practice of sending ships through this strategic area approximately once a month, sometimes with allies. However, China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, asserts control over the waterway.

Taiwan's government views this passage as part of Beijing's campaign of intimidation. In response, President Lai Ching-te emphasized that only the Taiwanese populace holds the right to decide their destiny, steadfastly rejecting Beijing's territorial claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)