China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has been angered by increased US support for the self-ruled island, including arms sales and sailing warships through the Taiwan Strait, further souring Beijing-Washington relations. The US Navy said the guided missile destroyers USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur had “conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit December 31 in accordance with international law”.
“The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.”
