US warship again transits sensitive Taiwan Strait
A US warship again sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday_ part of what the US military calls routine activity but which always riles China whose government believes Washington is trying to stir regional tensions.
The US Navy said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" through international waters in accordance with international law.
"The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies_ sails_ and operates anywhere international law allows_" it added. There was no immediate response from China.
Last month_ the Chinese military condemned the United States and Canada for each sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait_ saying they were threatening peace and stability in the region.
China claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory_ and has mounted repeated air force missions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the past year or so_ provoking anger in Taipei.
The United States like most countries has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its most important international backer and arms supplier.
Beijing calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with Washington.
US Navy ships have been transiting the strait roughly monthly_ to the anger of Beijing. US allies occasionally also send ships through the strait_ including Britain in September.
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