US sails warship close to Taiwan a week before presidential inauguration
14 May, 2020
The US navy said on Thursday (Might 14) it had sailed a guided-missile destroyer through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, weekly before Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration for another term in office amid rising tensions with China.
China, which considers Taiwan its territory, possesses been angered by the Trump administration's strong support for the island, such as increased arms sales. Beijing-Washington ties are also buffeted by fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The US Pacific Fleet, in a statement on its Facebook page, said the USS McCampbell had transited the narrow strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China on Wednesday, showing pictures of the ship under way.
Taiwan's Defence Ministry said the ship had sailed south on what it termed a great "ordinary mission", adding it had been continuing for the reason that direction.
Tsai, who will be sworn set for her second and final term up coming Wednesday, won re-election by a good landslide found in January, vowing to guard Taiwan's democracy and endure China.
Both China and america have ramped up military activities near Taiwan lately, including regular US sailings through the Taiwan Strait, and regular Chinese air force drills close to the island.
Last Friday, Taiwan said a Chinese air force Y-8 aircraft had briefly crossed into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone, prompting Taiwan jets to warn it to keep.
China operates the Y-8 both as a transfer and early warning and electronic warfare aircraft.
Taiwan has denounced the Chinese drills while attempts in intimidation and has told Beijing it will focus its efforts on fighting the coronavirus instead of menacing the island.
China considers Tsai to be a separatist, charges she strongly denies.
Late next week, China will wide open its delayed gross annual meeting of parliament, where it really is likely to release its defence cover the year, lots closely watched around the spot as President Xi Jinping oversees a military modernisation plan.
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