US Navy Ships Conduct Taiwan Strait Transit, Reinforcing Navigation Rights

The USS John Finn, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship, USNS Mary Sears, transited the Taiwan Strait on January 16 and 17, 2024. This operation was confirmed by the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

The US Navy stated that the ships conducted a routine transit through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait, which is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. According to a report by the US Naval Institute, the transit underscores the principle that navigational rights in the Taiwan Strait should remain unrestricted. It expressed the US stance against any claims of sovereignty that contradict the freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and air.

This marked the fourth occurrence of a US warship navigating the Taiwan Strait during the second term of former President Donald Trump. The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan reported that it closely monitored maritime and air activities around the island using a combination of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods.

In response to the transit, Xu Chenghua, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, stated on the military’s official WeChat account that their forces would remain vigilant. He emphasized their commitment to defending national sovereignty and maintaining regional peace and stability.

China’s military has consistently expressed its opposition to foreign naval operations in the Taiwan Strait, asserting that such activities undermine its territorial claims. The latest transit by US vessels has been interpreted as a reaffirmation of the US position on navigation rights in contested waters, contributing to ongoing tensions in the region.

This recent action reflects the ongoing complexities of US-China relations and the critical importance of the Taiwan Strait as a strategic passage for international shipping and military operations. As global attention remains focused on this vital waterway, the implications of such transits are likely to resonate with both regional and international stakeholders.