Wed Feb 12 02:37:35 UTC 2025: ## US Navy Patrol in Taiwan Strait Sparks Tensions with China
**BEIJING/WASHINGTON D.C.** – The United States and China are locked in a new round of tension following a US Navy patrol through the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military accused the US of engaging in “risky behaviour” after the USS Ralph Johnson destroyer and the USNS Bowditch survey ship transited the waterway between Monday and Wednesday. The PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command stated the action increased security risks and sent the wrong signals.
The US Navy countered that the transit was a routine exercise within internationally recognized waters, beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas. Commander Matthew Comer of the US Indo-Pacific Command emphasized that all nations enjoy freedom of navigation within this corridor. Taiwan’s defense ministry also confirmed the patrol, noting it proceeded normally.
This week’s patrol marks the first such transit since President Trump’s administration. While the US Navy regularly conducts freedom of navigation exercises in the strait, China claims the entire waterway as its own territory, a claim rejected by the US and other nations. Other countries, including Canada, France, the Netherlands and Japan, have also conducted similar exercises in the past.
China’s response was strong, with the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson describing Taiwan as a “core interest” and vowing to never allow outside interference. Beijing’s ongoing claim to annex Taiwan by 2047, coupled with near-daily military incursions near the island, further fueled the tension. These actions, known as “grey zone” activity, are aimed at intimidating Taiwan and testing its defenses. The increased military activity has been particularly prevalent since 2022, coinciding with high-level meetings between Taiwanese and US officials. The incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical struggle surrounding Taiwan and the delicate balance of power in the region.
First Piper 