China's military has criticized the recent passage of a U.S. destroyer through the Taiwan Strait, just weeks before the island's new president is set to take office. Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command, accused the U.S. of sensationalizing the passage of the USS Halsey on Wednesday.
He stated that the command had deployed naval and air forces to monitor the ship's transit and manage the situation in accordance with laws and regulations.
In response, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet stated that the Halsey had conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8, asserting the right to freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.
The fleet clarified that the ship had passed through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state.
The statement from the 7th Fleet emphasized the United States' commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations, asserting that no member of the international community should be coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms.
The fleet reiterated that the U.S. military operates wherever international law allows.
This passage comes after a period of stalled military-to-military contact between the U.S. and China, which resumed on April 17, following talks between the defense chiefs of both countries.
The Taiwan Strait, a critical waterway separating China from Taiwan, has been the site of increased military activity by China, including the deployment of ships and warplanes.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 23 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval ships were detected operating around Taiwan in the 24 hours leading up to 6 a.m. Thursday.
This included eight planes that crossed the median line in the strait into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, prompting Taiwan to scramble jets and put its defenses on alert.