Beijing (EFE).- The Chinese Army condemned the passage of the American destroyer Arleigh Burke USS Halsey through the Taiwan Strait, less than two weeks before the inauguration of the elected president, William Lai (Lai Ching-te).
“The Arleigh Burke USS Halsey sailed through the waters of the Taiwan Strait on May 8, seeking notoriety,” military spokesman Li Xi said in a statement published on the official account of the Eastern Theater of Operations of the Chinese Army. on the Weibo social network.
According to Li, the Eastern Theater of Operations organized “troops to follow and monitor all movements” of the ship, which it chased away “in accordance with the law.”
“The Eastern Theater forces are always on high alert, ready to defend national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson added.
Sailing near Taiwan
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Halsey sailed through a corridor outside the territorial waters of any country and in which international laws “allow freedom of navigation and overflight,” according to a statement released by the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet. USA
The maneuver “demonstrates the commitment of the United States to defend freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle,” says the Navy.
“No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms,” the fleet stated.
China increases its pressure
Since the presidential elections on January 13, in which Lai – considered an “independence supporter” in the eyes of Beijing – won with 40% of the votes, China has intensified its pressure on Taiwan with various measures.
Among them is the increase in Coast Guard patrols around the Kinmen Islands or the modification of several air routes through the strait.
Taiwan has been governed autonomously since 1949, although China claims sovereignty over the island, which it considers a rebellious province for whose “reunification” it has not ruled out the use of force.
The island is one of the biggest reasons for conflict between China and the United States, mainly due to the fact that Washington is Taiwan’s main weapons supplier and would be its greatest military ally in the event of a war with the Asian giant.
