China “Strongly” Opposes US Launch of Guided-Missile Destroyer in Taiwan Strait, Calls Move a Threat to Peace

The United States drew ire from Beijing after it sent a guided-missile destroyer through the Taiwan Strait a couple of days ago with China "strongly" opposing the launch and calling the move a threat to peace.

In a statement, the U.S. Navy's Japan-based Seventh Fleet said that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) made a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait on Apr. 26. They said that it made its way through international waters in accordance with international law.

U.S. Destroyer in Taiwan Strait

The Navy added that the destroyer's transit through the Taiwan Strait only demonstrated the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The American military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows, officials said.

But on Wednesday, Chinese authorities accused the United States of publicly hyping the event in the area. In a statement, senior colonel Shi Yi, a Chinese military spokesperson, said that the frequent provocations by the U.S. have sent the wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces. He argued that the situation has deliberately undermined peace and stability in the region, as per Independent.

It is a regular practice of the United States to send destroyers through the strait but other allies also sometimes send a naval patrol in its place, including France. The waterway in the South China Sea stretches for roughly 180 kilometers and separates China from Taiwan and its outlying islands, all of which are claimed as sovereign territory by Beijing.

On the other hand, the United States considers the Taiwan Strait as international waters and the USS Sampson sailed from north to south through the area. Furthermore, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the American destroyer sailed in the region during its routine patrol.

According to Aljazeera, while the United States does not formally recognize Taiwan, which is a self-ruling democracy also known as the Republic of China, it is one of Taipei's closest international allies. Beijing has expressed that it regards U.S. patrols as a show of support for Taiwan and President Tsai Ing-wen who the mainland labeled as a "separatist."

Supporting Taiwan's Independence

The U.S. government has repeatedly pledged that it would assist Taiwan to defend itself if China were to attack it. Although such promises made by the Americans usually fall short when they try to intervene.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington remains committed to helping Taiwan against China by building up its asymmetric defense capability. This could ward off any attack that the mainland could conduct on its neighboring region.

The situation comes as the last time that an American warship transited the Taiwan Strait was two months ago. On Feb. 28, USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) transited the region which caused China to accuse the U.S. of assuring Taiwan that it would come to its aid if needed. Another reason why the move was a cause for concern for China was that it occurred during the early days of Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine, USNI reported.