By Matthew Roscoe • Published: 28 Aug 2022 • 9:13
Two US Navy cruisers conducting Taiwan Strait operation. Image: 7th Fleet Navy/Twitter
UPDATE 9.13 am (AUGUST 28) – Speaking about two 7th Fleet US Navy cruisers conducting exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Combat Command Eastern Zone spokesman Shi Yi said:
” The US Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam passed through the Taiwan Strait on August 28, causing everyone’s attention. The PLA Eastern Combat Command Zone escorted the US cruisers, and exercised full control over their activities.
“Command units are on high alert to stop any provocations in a timely manner,” Yi said on WeChat.
ORIGINAL 7.25 am (August 28) – Two 7th Fleet US Navy cruisers are currently conducting Taiwan Strait training on Sunday, August 28.
Two US Navy cruisers, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), are conducting a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Sunday, August 28 (local time) through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law.
According to the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, these ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State.
“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the 7th Fleet announced.
“The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows.”
Jessica Stone noted that this was the “first publicised US Navy passage of Taiwan Strait since Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.”
First publicized @USNavy passage of #taiwanstrait since @SpeakerPelosi visit to #Taiwan & Beijing outrage, military drills in the strait, etc. https://t.co/WWCkz1jkAt — Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) August 28, 2022
First publicized @USNavy passage of #taiwanstrait since @SpeakerPelosi visit to #Taiwan & Beijing outrage, military drills in the strait, etc. https://t.co/WWCkz1jkAt
— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) August 28, 2022
People reacted to the news on social media.
“Reminder that the Taiwan Strait is international waters,” Nicola Smith wrote.
Reminder that the Taiwan Strait is international waters https://t.co/PuKgCYgq7h — Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) August 28, 2022
Reminder that the Taiwan Strait is international waters https://t.co/PuKgCYgq7h
— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) August 28, 2022
One person wrote: “No need to announce anything. If China doesn’t start anything, there won’t be anything. We will go wherever we want, fact.”
No need to announce anything. If China doesn’t start nothing , their won’t be nothing . We will go wherever we want, fact — Scott (@kendalllllbaaby) August 28, 2022
No need to announce anything. If China doesn’t start nothing , their won’t be nothing . We will go wherever we want, fact
— Scott (@kendalllllbaaby) August 28, 2022
CNN’s Will Ripley wrote: “US Navy cruisers transiting Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China. US Navy says there has been no interference from foreign military forces so far during the transit. It is still ongoing at this hour.”
US Navy cruisers transiting Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China. US Navy says there has been no interference from foreign military forces so far during the transit. It is still ongoing at this hour. @barbarastarrcnn https://t.co/sEulP1UiC9 — Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) August 28, 2022
US Navy cruisers transiting Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China. US Navy says there has been no interference from foreign military forces so far during the transit. It is still ongoing at this hour. @barbarastarrcnn https://t.co/sEulP1UiC9
— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) August 28, 2022
“Guided-missile cruisers of the @USNavy are conducting a “routine” transit through the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating “the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Steve Herman wrote.
Guided-missile cruisers of the @USNavy are conducting a "routine" transit through the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating “the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." https://t.co/Y6cKgYAaXC — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 28, 2022
Guided-missile cruisers of the @USNavy are conducting a "routine" transit through the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating “the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." https://t.co/Y6cKgYAaXC
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 28, 2022
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Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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