Tension in the Taiwan Strait: U.S. Navy's Strategic Passage

Two U.S. Navy ships navigated the Taiwan Strait this week, marking the first such operation since President Donald Trump assumed office. This move angered China, which views Taiwan as its territory and claims the waterway. China's military closely monitored the transit, accusing the U.S. of increasing regional security risks.

This week, two U.S. Navy vessels made a passage through the controversial Taiwan Strait, a first since President Donald Trump took office, prompting a heated response from China. The operation, which involved the destroyer Ralph Johnson and the survey ship Bowditch, heightened tensions in the region.

China, asserting its claim over Taiwan, deems this strategic waterway as its domain. The Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army criticized the U.S. action as a provocation escalating security risks. According to their statement, Chinese military forces were deployed to monitor the U.S. ships closely.

Despite the controversy, the U.S. Navy continues to conduct these missions approximately monthly. This latest action follows a late-November flight by a P-8A Poseidon over the strait, heightening geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stands firm on Taiwan's sovereignty, declaring the island's future lies in the hands of its citizens alone.

(With inputs from agencies.)