Taiwan: an American destroyer sails in the China Sea
The US destroyer USS Milius carried out a “freedom of navigation operation” in an area of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing on Monday, as the Chinese military conducts exercises around Taiwan.
“This freedom of navigation operation respected the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea,” the US Navy said in a statement, adding that the vessel passed close to the Spratly Islands .
The ship passed within 12 nautical miles (22 km) of Mischief Reef, claimed by China and other countries in the region, she added.
The US ship’s passage through a disputed area comes as China conducts large-scale military exercises around Taiwan for the third consecutive day to protest a visit to the United States by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing. -wen.
Started on Saturday, the Chinese maneuvers aim to protest against a meeting Wednesday of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen with the Speaker of the American House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy.
Objective ? Simulate a “closure” of the territory of 23 million inhabitants claimed by Beijing, explained the Chinese army. And in particular an “air blockade”, according to state television CCTV .
“Taiwan independence and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are mutually exclusive,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing, deeming it necessary to ” firmly oppose any form of separatism for the independence of Taiwan”.
The Army’s Eastern Theater Command said Shandong, one of China’s two aircraft carriers, “participated in today’s exercise.”
Taiwan said it detected 11 Chinese warships and 59 aircraft around the island on Monday.
During the weekend, fighter planes and warships had simulated targeted bombardments against the island, as part of this operation called “Joint Sword” and denounced by Taiwan.
