US Military Calls Chinese Maneuver in Taiwan Strait “Unsafe”; Raises Concerns About Escalation of Tensions

On Monday, the United States military released a video of an incident that occurred in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. The video showed a Chinese navy ship cutting sharply across the path of an American destroyer, forcing the U.S. vessel to slow down in order to avoid a collision.

The incident has caused tension between the two countries, as China claims the democratic self-governing island of Taiwan as part of its own territory and maintains the strait is part of its exclusive economic zone. The U.S. and its allies, however, regularly sail through and fly over the passage to emphasize their contention that the waters are international.

The U.S. military has called the Chinese maneuver “unsafe” and has urged China to abide by international maritime laws and regulations. The U.S. has also expressed its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, which are both designed to ensure that Taiwan can maintain its security and autonomy.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of navigation in the Taiwan Strait and the potential for further escalation of tensions between the two countries. The U.S. has urged China to exercise caution and restraint in the area and to adhere to international law.