On September 12, 2023, China’s military denounced the passage of a US destroyer, USS Higgins, and a British frigate, HMS Richmond, through the Taiwan Strait, labeling the maneuvers as “trouble-making and provocation.” The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command stated that it had ordered naval and air forces to monitor and issue warnings to the ships, asserting that the actions of the US and Britain negatively impact peace and stability in the region.
In contrast, Britain’s Ministry of Defence characterized the naval transit as routine, emphasizing that the Royal Navy conducts its operations in full compliance with international law and norms, adhering to freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Similarly, the US Indo-Pacific Command echoed this sentiment, stating that the ships transited through a corridor of the strait that lies beyond the territorial waters of any coastal state, reinforcing the idea that navigational rights in the Taiwan Strait should remain unrestricted.
On the same day, China’s navy announced that its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which is still in the testing phase, had also traversed the strait. This incident followed recent passages through the strait by a Canadian and an Australian warship. Regularly, the US Navy and allied forces from countries such as Canada, Britain, and France navigate the strait, considering it an international waterway, while Taiwan similarly views it as such. Conversely, China regards these waters as part of its territorial jurisdiction, reinforcing its claim on Taiwan, which is seen by Beijing as its own territory.
Over the past five years, China has intensified its military presence and activities around Taiwan, conducting extensive war games, which has raised concerns regarding regional stability. Taiwan’s government continues to reject China’s assertions over its territory. The ongoing international naval operations in the Taiwan Strait illustrate the increasing tensions and complexity of military dynamics in this strategic region, particularly in light of rising global geopolitical tensions.
This situation underscores the delicate balance of power in the area, illustrating how military maneuvers by nations like the US and UK evoke strong responses from China, reflecting deep-seated territorial disputes and diverging interpretations of international law. The ongoing presence of naval forces from multiple nations raises questions about the future of security and territorial claims in the Taiwan Strait.
