Chinese Military: “Firmly Confront Any Threats to Regional Peace and Stability”
US Military: “All Nations Have the Freedom of Navigation and Overflight”
Taiwan: “Detected Numerous Chinese Aircraft and Ships in 24 Hours”
In response to the first transit of US Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait since Donald Trump became president, Chinese military authorities protested, stating that “the US actions send a wrong signal and increase security threats.”
According to reports by Reuters and China’s state media CCTV, Chinese military official Li Xi, a naval colonel from the Eastern Theater Command, announced through an official WeChat account that the US Navy destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and survey ship USNS Bowditch passed through the Taiwan Strait from the 10th to the 12th.
A military expert mentioned to the Chinese state-run Global Times that “this is the first officially reported US ship transit through the Taiwan Strait this year.”
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which is responsible for the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea and Pacific regions, stated that they have been monitoring the entire transit process of US vessels while maintaining a state of alert and responding accordingly. Li remarked, “The Eastern Theater Command will always maintain high alertness and will resolutely confront any actions that jeopardize national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.”
Meanwhile, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated opposition to any external interference during a regular briefing, urging the US to adhere to the “One China” principle and cease sending erroneous signals to “Taiwan independence forces.”
The Global Times noted that the manner of the US Navy’s transit through the Taiwan Strait showed differences from previous instances. Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe said that while US warships had previously crossed in pairs, including two destroyers, this is the first time a survey ship has been part of such an operation. He suggested that the involvement of a survey ship, potentially capable of conducting underwater geological mapping, gathering hydrological and meteorological data, and performing underwater surveillance, likely contributed to the three-day duration of the mission.
The US Navy confirmed the transit of these vessels. Specifically, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and the Pathfinder-class survey ship USNS Bowditch navigated the strait from the 10th to the 12th.
Matthew Comer, a spokesperson for the US Indo-Pacific Command, emphasized that “this transit was conducted through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that is beyond any individual territorial sea” and highlighted that “the freedom of navigation and overflight are rights enjoyed by all countries under international law.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that its military monitored the situation, which remained normal, and pointed to China’s reaction. The ministry stated that it detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan within the past 24 hours, underscoring that “there needs no further explanation as to who is causing problems in the Taiwan Strait, and surrounding countries are well aware of it.”
Additionally, CCTV showcased images of the Eastern Theater Command’s units conducting patrol and training missions in the waters near Taiwan post-Chinese New Year celebrations.
Reuters highlighted that this operation marks the first politically sensitive US mission through the Taiwan Strait since President Trump took office last month. The US routinely traverses the strait with ships or aircraft about once a month, drawing protests from China. In response, China has been deploying its naval ships to nearby waters and exerting pressure on Taiwan.
The most recent confirmed transit by a US Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait was alongside a Canadian naval vessel in October of the previous year, according to Reuters. In November, reports also indicated that a US P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait.
The timing of the US transit through the Taiwan Strait following a declaration of the need to maintain peace in the strait during the US-Japan summit also stands out. Following a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on February 7th, Trump released a statement underscoring the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.