Chinese army maintains high alert status
Two US ships sail through the Taiwan Strait
One of the two ships transiting the strait.
AFP
Two US ships have sailed south through the strategic Taiwan Strait for the first time since the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which was strongly condemned by China, while the Chinese military announced that it would remain on high alert.
The US Navy's Seventh Fleet said in a statement that the USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville ships, which carry guided missiles, were on a routine mission in international waters.
The statement added: “The transit of the two ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States to a free and open Indian-Pacific Ocean.
The US military flies, sails, and operates wherever international law allows.”
For its part, the Chinese military said that it has monitored the US Navy ships that sailed through the Taiwan Strait, and will remain on high alert in preparation to thwart any provocations.
This is the first passage of US ships since Pelosi, who headed the congressional delegation to Taiwan, visited Taiwan earlier this month.
The short visit, during which Pelosi pledged Washington's solidarity, angered China, and in response to the visit, the Chinese military conducted large-scale exercises around Taiwan.
About a week after Pelosi's visit, a group of five other US lawmakers also visited Taiwan, and the Chinese military responded by conducting more exercises near the island.
The Biden administration is seeking to prevent an exacerbation of tension with Beijing, which has angered the visits.
The US administration described the visits of members of Congress as routine.
Seventh Fleet:
• "The US Army flies, sails, and operates anywhere that international law allows."
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news