U.S. Navy ships pass through strategic Taiwan Strait, riling China

Reuters ^ | February 25, 2019 | by Idrees Ali

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON - The United States sent two Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait on Monday as the U.S. military increased the frequency of movement through the strategic waterway despite opposition from China.

The voyage risks further raising tensions with China but will likely be viewed by self-ruled Taiwan as a sign of support from the Trump administration amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.

The movement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States and China are “very, very close” to a deal to end a months-long trade war that has slowed global growth and disrupted markets.

The U.S. Navy’s passage through the Taiwan Strait also comes just days before a summit between Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

“The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement.

The two ships were identified as the destroyer Stethem and Navy cargo and ammunition ship Cesar Chavez, the statement added. The 180-km-wide (111.85 miles) Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from China.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[BenLurkin]

Are these not international waters?

[taxcontrol]

China says no, US says yes.

[TangledUpInBlue]

They are. China has never directly asserted jurisdiction to my knowledge.

The Strait of Taiwan is probably the most dangerous place on the earth. Even more so than the 38th parallel and Kashmir.

[LibWhacker]

I LOVE this president! He knows exactly what he's doing. We need to find a way that would allow him to serve a third (or even fourth) term.

[bigbob]

If China really felt that was true they’d stop our ships. Its just ego, like how they still won’t accept Taiwan as an independent state.

[caww]

Isn’t the first time by any means....

[butlerweave]

U.S. Navy ships pass through strategic Taiwan Strait, riling Chinese Communist Party ,China is not allowed to say anything under the Communist Rule

[dp0622]

And Trump said something I can’t type here.

Good for him.

[chief lee runamok]

On two westpacs between 1972-76 the ship I was stationed on made that transit several times without the chinese rattling their sword.

I wonder what caused the change./s

[VietVet876]

The tin can I was on did the Strait patrol in ‘69, 70 and ‘71. The Chicoms didn’t rattle swords but you could tell they were always pissed off to see any of us there. Of course the liberty that followed in Taiwan was pretty wonderful.

[ryderann]

Yes! Trump is sending a timely, subtle mega-ton message to both Xi and Kim.

[Sarcasm Factory]

That picture would be even better if it were accompanied by a gigantic American flag fluttering proudly over the deep blue sea instead of the little bitty flag shown. Also, both ships really need to blare "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" from loudspeakers all during the passage through international waters.

Truth to tell, I'd absolutely adore seeing a huge projection screen set up on a towed barge to display the image shown below during the entire leisurely journey through international waters, but I suppose that would be ever so slightly too undiplomatic for the times. ^^;

[kenmcg]

Good job Trump and the USN. As an old cruiser sailor, my heart is with them.

[blam]

Straits Of Taiwan

[Starcitizen]

Hell, China claims everything to the shoreline of Brunei and Indonesia...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I’ve actually been there. On the China side.

[blam]

"’ve actually been there. On the China side."

Yup, me too. A couple times in the mis-60's.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Wow. You were there in primitive times. I was in Xaimen around 2013. The beach front looked like Newport Beach CA. A playground and vacation spot for well-healed communists from Shanghai.

[vannrox]

Yeah, xiamen is actually quite lovely.