The tension between the United States and China, this time over Taiwan, continues to rise. After the speaker of the US House of Representatives visited the island this month – a visit interpreted by China as a provocation, followed by a series of constant Chinese military maneuvers – two US warships have now entered the Strait from Taiwan.
The United States guarantees that the movement does not have a particular meaning, but the signal is given. In an international press release, the US Navy explained this Sunday that the two missile cruisers transit through “waters in which freedom of navigation and flight on the high seas is applied in accordance with international law.”
The two warships, the statement says, pass through a stretch of the strait that is “beyond the waters of any coastal state.” Still, the idea, the US surmises, is to demonstrate “US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Armed Forces of the United States fly, sail and work where international law allows.
So far, according to the US Navy, there has been no “interference” by foreign military forces at this 112-mile crossing, which, according to Reuters, typically takes eight to 12 hours to complete and separates the island from Taiwan, which claims its sovereignty, from the territory of mainland China.
But the Chinese military has made it clear that it is “monitoring” the two ships on high alert, as quoted by CNN International, and ready to “face any provocation”, while continuing to consider the narrow part of its waters: the United States. States disagree, arguing that most of the voyage is in international waters.
Taiwan leader points to island’s determination to defend against Chinese attack
In July, China had already reacted irritably to the voyage of another US anti-missile cruiser, with a Chinese navy representative, Shi Yi, later saying that the US’s “frequent provocations” “are the final test”. The United States is the destroyer of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the creator of security risks in the Taiwan Strait.”
Meanwhile, the tension has only grown. Already after Pelosi’s visit – which left assurances of the United States’ “unwavering commitment” to the people of Taiwan – China’s military maneuvers escalated at a galloping pace, involving launching missiles into the water, exercises with fighter jets and with ships. of war.
Also on Saturday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said at least 21 Chinese planes and five ships were conducting military exercises in the strait. Furthermore, since the visit of the US official, there have been almost daily maneuvers by China, violating the unofficial (but normally respected) line that separates the waters of Taiwan and mainland China.
Pelosi ends visit of less than 24 hours to Taiwan. He left guarantees that friendship with the US will continue: “Now and for decades to come”
This month, Pelosi was not the only American politician to visit the island: the governor of Indiana and Senator Marsha Blackburn have done the same in recent weeks, which has angered Beijing, for not recognizing Taiwan’s autonomy and considering that these visits represent an interference in their external affairs. .
In the context of this escalation of tension, it has already been reported that Taiwan is making plans to increase its defense spending by 14% next year. Therefore, the total amount should be around 13,000 million euros.
Source: Observadora
