Another U.S. Warship Has Passed Through The Taiwan Strait

FILE PHOTO: U.S. destroyer USS Mustin maneuvers and approaches the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (not shown) in preparation for a replenishment-at-sea in the Western Pacific, February 19, 2018. Picture taken on February 19, 2018. Dominique M. Lasco/U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: China says tailed U.S. warship in Taiwan Strait

SHANGHAI/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China’s military tailed a U.S. warship as it passed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Saturday, the Chinese military said, denouncing such missions as sending “flirtatious glances” to supporters of Taiwan independence.

China, which claims democratically-run Taiwan as its own territory, has been angered by stepped-up U.S. support for the island, including arms sales and sailing warships through the Taiwan Strait, further souring Beijing-Washington relations.

The U.S. Navy said the guided missile destroyer USS Mustin had conducted “a routine Taiwan Strait transit (on) Dec. 19 in accordance with international law”.

“The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it added.

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Update: China tails US warship as it sails through Taiwan Strait (NYPost)

WNU Editor: This is the 12th sailing through the strait by the U.S. Navy this year.