Two US Navy ships conduct a routine transit through international waters near Taiwan
Two United States Navy warships sailed through international waters in the Taiwan Strait this Sunday, marking a notable maneuver in the region. The ships, among the most capable surface combatants in the fleet, carried out the transit as part of ongoing operations that Washington describes as routine and consistent with international law. The nearby island’s defense authorities later confirmed the movement and emphasized that the operation proceeded without incident or disorder as the vessels headed north. The event underscores the enduring attention that cross-strait dynamics attract from regional powers, allies, and observers around the world.
The ships identified by local observers include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville. Both vessels are renowned for their air-defense capabilities and long-range strike potential, and they were reported to have conducted a deliberate, controlled transit through waters considered international. The defense ministry described the operation as a standard, lawful passage that aligns with international maritime norms. News agency CNA quoted officials noting the transit occurred as expected, without any detours or deviations from established routes.
This latest transit follows a high-profile visit earlier in the month when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, an episode that heightened tensions in the strait and triggered a flurry of military activity from Beijing. Chinese authorities warned against foreign visits that they said could inflame regional instability, and then carried out a sequence of drills and demonstrations around Taiwan. Observers noted the drills included long-range live-fire exercises and missile launches as part of a broader show of force. The Taiwanese government characterized those actions as irresponsible, while urging restraint and continued readiness to defend national sovereignty.
In Washington, U.S. officials described Beijing’s response as manufactured and accusatory, insisting that U.S. forces would continue to operate in accordance with longstanding policy across the Taiwan Strait. The United States emphasizes freedom of navigation and the right to conduct compliant operations in international waters, arguing such missions support regional stability and the rule of law. The responses from both sides reflect a persistent pattern of signaling and counter-signaling that has defined cross-strait relations for years.
China maintains a claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, a position it has articulated for decades. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, has its own government, military, and democratic institutions. The dispute traces to the mid-20th century when the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan after losing the civil war, leaving the island as a self-governing entity distinct in practice from mainland governance. The international community, meanwhile, navigates a nuanced stance on cross-strait status, balancing diplomatic recognition with strategic and economic interests across Asia and beyond. The current round of activity in the region continues to evoke diverse perspectives on security, sovereignty, and regional norms.