China says US warship passing through Taiwan Strait "destroys regional peace"

The US Navy guided missile cruiser Antietam (CG 54) is conducting a freedom of navigation operation in the Taiwan Strait on the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The Chinese government criticized the passage of two U.S. warships through the Taiwan Strait on the 28th, calling it an act that "deliberately destroys regional peace and stability."

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 29th, "The frequent U.S. warship freedom of navigation operations are not a 'commitment to freedom and openness' but rather a show of force."

He added, "We once again urge the U.S. side to stop distorting the One-China principle, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, and abide by the basic norms of international relations that prohibit interference in internal affairs. We call on the U.S. to properly adhere to the One-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqu?s (the three major important communiqu?s in China-U.S. relations, including the establishment of diplomatic relations) and not to become a provocateur disrupting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Earlier, the U.S. 7th Fleet announced on the 28th that the missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville and USS Antietam had transited the Taiwan Strait, stating that the passage occurred in waters where freedom of navigation under international law applies.

In response, China also conducted a show of force. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) deployed seven military aircraft beyond the median line of the Taiwan Strait, including three J-11 fighters, one Su-30 fighter, one WZ-10 attack helicopter, and two J-10 fighters. Additionally, three military aircraft, including one Y-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft and two J-16 fighters, entered the southwestern Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) as a show of force.

The PLA continued to send military aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait on the 29th. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense reported that 12 Chinese military aircraft, including eight Su-30 fighters, were detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait that day. Furthermore, by 5 p.m., eight Chinese warships and 37 military aircraft were detected near Taiwan, prompting the Taiwanese military to respond with warning broadcasts and deployment of surface-to-air missile systems.