US and UK Warships Transit Taiwan Strait, China Expresses Discontent

Warships from the United States and the United Kingdom conducted routine transits through the Taiwan Strait on September 12, 2023, despite protests from China. The US Navy’s USS Higgins destroyer and the UK’s HMS Richmond frigate sailed through the strait, a passage deemed international waters by both nations.

In response, the Chinese military condemned the transit as a “disturbance and provocation.” Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, stated that the military had organized naval and air forces to “track and monitor” the foreign warships. Shi claimed that such actions undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

International Navigation Rights and Responses

The UK Ministry of Defence emphasized that the passage of the HMS Richmond through the Taiwan Strait was a standard operation, in compliance with international law. A spokesperson noted that this transit was part of a broader deployment involving the HMS Prince Wales, which has been active in the Indo-Pacific region since April 22, 2023.

The US Navy echoed this sentiment, describing the transit as a routine mission. In a statement, the US Navy asserted that the ships navigated through a corridor in the strait that lies beyond the territorial waters of any coastal state. They stressed that “navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be limited.”

Furthermore, the waters of the Taiwan Strait have seen increased military activity from allied nations. Last week, the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec and the Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane also traversed the strait. This marked the second transit by a Canadian warship this year and the first for an Australian vessel in 2023, a movement welcomed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Increased Military Activity and Monitoring

Since the early hours of September 12, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported detecting 31 Chinese military aircraft and 13 naval vessels in its vicinity. This was the highest number of incursions recorded in a single day since May of this year. Of the 31 sorties, 25 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

The Taiwanese military stated that they are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond as necessary. The escalation in military presence underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, as both sides navigate the complexities of military maneuvers and international law.

The situation in the Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of geopolitical interest, with the actions of the US, UK, and allied forces underlining their commitment to freedom of navigation in international waters, while China remains vigilant in asserting its territorial claims.