China Military Tails US Warship Through Taiwan Strait

China sees US move threaten stability of Taiwan

On Saturday, the USS Mustin sailed around in the Taiwan Strait, which US officials insisted was a “routine” move proving US military commitment to the Pacific. The Chinese military saw this as a nod to US support for Taiwanese independence, and a direct challenge to China.

In response, China followed the US warship through the Strait, saying that they believe the US operation was a threat to stability in the region, and jeopardizing peace.

China’s interpretation is not out of left field, because this freedom of navigation operation resembles US operations in the South China Sea, which the US has very frankly described as challenges to China.

Taiwan isn’t commenting, but  once again the US and China are using the island as a backdrop for their continued tensions. President Trump remains eager to needle China, and that suggests these situations will continue.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.