Beijing – China has strongly reiterated its territorial claim over Taiwan following the passage of two U.S. Navy warships through the Taiwan Strait. Beijing condemned the move, labeling it as a provocation and asserting that Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China’s territory.
At a routine press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, “I want to emphasize that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan issue affects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but has nothing to do with freedom of navigation.” Guo further accused the United States of using the pretext of navigation rights to challenge China’s sovereignty and security.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed in a post on X that two U.S. Navy vessels crossed the Taiwan Strait from north to south on February 10. The ministry assured that the situation remained under control, stating, “#ROCArmedForces continued to have complete control over the nearby sea and airspace.”
In response, China increased its military activity around Taiwan. As of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on Thursday, Taiwan reported detecting six sorties of Chinese PLA aircraft, eight PLAN naval vessels, and one government ship in the vicinity of the island. The MND noted that four of the six aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
China’s military buildup has continued in recent weeks, including the introduction of new amphibious assault equipment. This includes mass-produced floating bridge docks to facilitate landings on Taiwan’s shores and an advanced landing helicopter attack (LHA) vessel designed for rapid troop deployment.
The Taiwan issue remains a major point of geopolitical tension. While Taiwan operates as a de facto sovereign state with its own government, military, and economy, Beijing regards it as a breakaway province under its “One China” policy. China has consistently employed diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
Tensions between China and the United States have escalated over Taiwan in recent years, with Washington maintaining its commitment to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. The latest naval transit underscores the broader power struggle in the Indo-Pacific region, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation.
