China angered as US sends destroyer through Taiwan Strait
Al JazeeraUSS Sampson conducted a monthly patrol of the Strait, which the US regards as international waters China’s military has accused the United States of undermining regional peace and security after it sent a naval destroyer through the Strait of Taiwan on Tuesday as part of a routine freedom of navigation exercise. The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command accused the US of “provocative” naval activities and said the move sent the “wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces” in a brief statement. “The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the 7th Fleet said in a statement after the event. “The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows.” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence also confirmed that the destroyer had sailed from north to south as part of a “routine” patrol.