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TAIPEI: The U.S. Navy said Thursday (May 14) that it had sailed a guided missile destroyer across the Taiwan Strait, a week before the inauguration of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen for a second term in amid mounting tensions with China.
China, which regards Taiwan as its territory, has been angered by the Trump administration’s strong support for the island, such as increased arms sales. Ties between Beijing and Washington have also been affected by the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The United States Pacific Fleet, in a statement on its Facebook page, said the USS McCampbell had transited the strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China on Wednesday, showing images of the ship in motion.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said the ship had sailed south on what it called a “regular mission,” adding that it was continuing in that direction.
Tsai, who will be sworn in for his second and last term next Wednesday, won reelection for a landslide in January, vowing to defend Taiwan’s democracy and take on China.
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Both China and the United States have intensified military activities near Taiwan in recent months, including regular United States departures across the Taiwan Strait and regular drills by the Chinese air force near the island.
Last Friday, Taiwan said a Chinese air force Y-8 aircraft had briefly crossed into the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting Taiwan planes to warn it to leave.
China operates the Y-8 as a transport, early warning and electronic warfare aircraft.
Taiwan has denounced the Chinese drills as intimidation attempts and has told Beijing that it must focus its efforts on fighting the coronavirus rather than threatening the island.
China considers Tsai to be a separatist, charges she flatly denies.
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By the end of next week, China will open its delayed annual meeting of parliament, where it is expected to publish its defense budget for the year, a closely watched amount in the region as President Xi Jinping oversees a military modernization plan.
