US Naval Ships Navigate Taiwan Strait, Upholding Freedom of Navigation

The United States Navy’s USS John Finn, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the USNS Mary Sears, a Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship, transited the Taiwan Strait on January 16 and 17, 2024. This movement was confirmed by the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, which emphasized the operation as part of routine naval activities in international waters.

During this transit, the ships navigated a corridor within the Taiwan Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state, reinforcing the principle of high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law. According to a report by the US Naval Institute, the operation underscores the US commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations, stating, “The international community’s navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be limited.”

The transit marks the fourth instance during former President Donald Trump‘s second term that a US warship has sailed through this strategically significant waterway. The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan confirmed that it monitored the maritime and air activities around the island, employing joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance methods to ensure security.

Chinese military officials also acknowledged the movement, with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stating on its official WeChat account that it had tracked the transit. Xu Chenghua, a spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, stated that the command’s forces would “remain on high alert at all times” to “resolutely defend national sovereignty and security, and maintain regional peace and stability.”

The ongoing naval operations by the US reflect deeper geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly concerning China’s claims over Taiwan. These maneuvers serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in the Taiwan Strait, a crucial area for international shipping and military strategy.

The international community continues to watch these developments closely, as they have significant implications for regional stability and the enforcement of maritime laws. The US Navy has reiterated its position against any assertion of sovereignty that contradicts established freedoms of the sea and air, signaling its intent to challenge any restrictions imposed by coastal states.