[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Navy has released photos showing a 7th Fleet destroyer passing through the Taiwan Strait, where tensions with China are high, emphasizing "freedom of navigation" and pressuring China. Since President Joe Biden took office in January, this marks the sixth time a U.S. warship has passed through the Taiwan Strait. China is reportedly escalating its response by deploying both naval and air forces for comprehensive surveillance.
On the 22nd (local time), the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, responsible for the Western Pacific region, announced via a press release on its official website that the Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur passed through the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law. The U.S. Navy stated, "This transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," adding, "U.S. forces will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows."
Since President Biden's inauguration in January, this is the sixth time a U.S. warship has passed through the Taiwan Strait, with at least one transit each month this year. Despite strong opposition from China, U.S. destroyers have passed through the strait twice in February and once each month from March through this month. Compared to the past when such transits occurred about once a year, the frequency has significantly increased. Photos and videos have also been unusually released, presumably sending a warning message to China.
China has strongly protested and intensified its surveillance and vigilance. Chang Chunhui, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese military, condemned the U.S. for publicizing the destroyer's transit through the Taiwan Strait in a statement on the same day, saying, "The Chinese military is deploying naval and air forces to monitor and guard every step of the process." He added, "This act seriously harms peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and shows that the U.S. is the biggest creator of regional security risks," expressing strong opposition.
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