US Navy sails guided-missile destroyer through sensitive Taiwan strait

US Navy sailed a guided-missile destroyer through highly sensitive Taiwan Strait as Si-US relations hit nir amid coronavirus pandemic. US Pacific Fleet shared ims of USS McCampbell transiting through narrow strait that separates self-governing island from mainland China.

Taiwan strait is a disputed zone as China as self-governing island republic considers itself as sovereign while China claims province as Beijing’s territory under its one-China policy. US Navy’s decision to sail through strait a week before inauguration of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen for ar term in office can furr heighten tension as Beijing considers Ing-Wen as a separatist.

In recent months, China and United States have increased ir military activities near Taiwan which later calls “ordinary mission”. strait has been witnessing regular US sailings as Washington has emerged as a strong supporter of Taiwan’s inclusion on international platforms.

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China-Taiwan tensions

In February, Taiwan’s air force h intercepted Chinese jets flying around island and its Defence Ministry deunced move as a threat to regional peace and stability. Taiwan's Defence Ministry, in a statement, said that Chinese J-11 fighters and H-6 bombers flew into Bashi Channel and n heed back to its base.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) lashed out at Beijing after combat aircraft flew close to Taiwan. According to Ministry, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen urged China to deal with coronavirus inste of threatening a country militarily. Taking to Twitter, Ministry taunted that H-6 bombers can t destroy coronavirus.

In December last year, China sailed its newly commissioned aircraft career into Taiwan Strait on to flex its muscle in region. Calling it a military threat, MFA tweeted about incident and said that Taiwan is determined to defend itself against such looming danger.

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