On August 22, 2024, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ralph Johnson conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometer-wide waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China. The U.S. Navy stated that this operation was carried out in accordance with international law, highlighting the ongoing practice of "freedom of navigation" operations in the region.
The USS Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, typically takes 8-12 hours to complete such a transit. This vessel is part of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, which is responsible for operations in the Western Pacific. The U.S. Navy has been conducting these transits since 1962, with the frequency increasing in recent years.
In response to the U.S. vessel's passage, China's Eastern Theatre Command, one of the five theater commands of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, mobilized naval and air forces to monitor the entire transit. Naval Colonel Li Xi, a spokesperson for the command, issued a statement emphasizing their readiness:
"Troops in the theatre remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability."
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the United States and China regarding Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced the possibility of using force to bring it under its control. Conversely, the U.S. maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity" towards Taiwan's defense and is the island's most important international supporter and arms supplier.
The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 commits the United States to assist Taiwan in defending itself. However, China has repeatedly warned the U.S. against what it terms as "playing with fire" in relation to Taiwan. Despite these warnings, the U.S. continues to conduct regular naval operations in the Taiwan Strait, which is considered an international waterway.
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 but has never formally declared independence. In recent years, China has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan, while the U.S. has maintained its support for the island's autonomy.
These routine transits by U.S. warships serve as a reminder of the complex geopolitical situation in the region and the delicate balance maintained by all parties involved. As tensions persist, such operations are likely to continue, with both the U.S. and China closely monitoring each other's activities in the Taiwan Strait.