US warships challenge China’s claim to total control of Taiwan Strait

THE United States is getting pushy. It just sent two warships through the narrow strait between China and Taiwan. Beijing isn’t happy about it.

CHINA claims total ownership over the narrow waterway between it and Taiwan. International law sees things differently. So the US just sent two warships through the gap to prove a point — and make a statement.

It’s the second such US naval operation this year.

It’s likely to inflame relations with Beijing even further.

But increasingly isolated democratic Taiwan will see it as a sign of support by US President Donald Trump’s government.

Taiwan has confirmed the passage by US warships through what it also designates as international waters.

Beijing, however, regards democratic Taiwan to be a breakaway province still within the umbrella of its international foreign policy. But the island only came under Chinese control after it was taken from the Japanese after World War II, and the Republican Chinese government — fleeing the Communist revolution — fled there in the late 1940s.

The presence of the destroyer USS Curtis Wilber and the cruiser USS Antietam sends a double-barrelled message to Beijing: that it recognises Taiwan’s self governance, and that it rejects China’s increasing attempts to impose total sovereignty over vast waterways such as the East and South China Seas (both linked by the Taiwan Strait).

USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) was one of two US warships to sail through the contested Taiwan Strait yesterday. Picture: US Navy

A FREE AND OPEN INDO-PACIFIC

US Pacific Fleet deputy spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said the ships’ transit demonstrates his nation’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” Commander Christensen said in a statement issued overnight.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning added that the US warships had “maintained co-ordination and contact with the appropriate nations, authorities and parties”. He said it was “certainly not the Department’s intention to raise tensions or any kind of escalation”.

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Taiwan’s defence ministry said it closely monitored the operation and was able to maintain the security of the seas and the airspace.

The Pentagon added the two destroyers had not reported any “unsafe and unprofessional encounters with any Chinese vessels” during the transit. Shadowing Chinese warships remained at a safe distance.

#China and #ASEAN launch maritime drill in Zhanjiang. The joint drill is the first of its kind held between China and ASEAN countries. pic.twitter.com/HaaIl5Eby4

— China News 中国新闻网 (@Echinanews) October 22, 2018

This is in contrast to recent incidents in the South China Sea where US and British warships have reported close encounters with Chinese vessels attempting to force them out of contested waterways. Earlier this month, a Chinese destroyer almost collided with a US warship in an encounter during a freedom-of-navigation exercise near the Spratly Islands. The Pentagon called the incident “unsafe”, while Beijing labelled it “provocative”.

There was no immediate comment from China.

The US Navy conducted a similar mission in the strait’s international waters in July, which had been the first such voyage in about a year.

The latest operation shows the US Navy is increasing the pace of strait passages.

Pro-Taiwan independence activists call for the referendum on the streets in front of the headquarters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during a demonstration in Taipei. Picture: AFP

FLASHPOINT TAIWAN

Chinese defence chiefs last week challenged US Secretary of Defence James Mattis over the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty.

During a meeting with is Beijing counterpart in Singapore, Mattis was asked if the existing US policy of “one country, two systems” had changed.

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“The secretary reassured Minister Wei that we haven’t changed our Taiwan policy, our One China policy,” a Defence spokesman said.

Beijing has become increasingly agitated at renewed US arms sales to the island amid growing calls there for open independence from mainland China. It has also threatened outright war over port visits from US warships.

And that's a wrap! U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Singapore Acting Prime Minister @teocheehean share a laugh at the #ADMMPlus lunch on Oct 20, 2018, marking the end of a successful 2018 #ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting. #SecDefTravels pic.twitter.com/GrGrgtf7yW

— US Embassy Singapore (@RedWhiteBlueDot) October 22, 2018

China has become increasingly concerned at a reinvigorated pro-independence movement within Taiwan. It fears a strengthened US military presence in the region will further embolden activists.

But Beijing has itself in recent years dramatically stepped up its own military activities in the region, regularly sending flights of long-range bombers and fighters to encircle the self-ruled island, as well as sending its aircraft carrier Liaoning and escorts through the Taiwan Strait.

Washington has few formal agreements with Taiwan. But it is committed to defending the democratic enclave from external threats.

The move by the two US warships comes as China engages in manoeuvres with the navies of ASEAN nations. China was expelled from taking part in the US-run RIMPAC Pacific multinational exercise earlier this year.

Deadly game … A Chinese destroyer cuts across the bows of the USS Decatur during a 'freedom of navigation' operation near the Spratly Islands earlier this month.