China threatens US again after its warships patrol Taiwan Strait

Beijing: On 31st December in the evening, two US warships patrolled the Taiwan Strait. In the last year, the US battleships have patrolled the regional waters 13 times. A reaction has emerged from China over the incident. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has warned that its army was ready to respond at any time to any threat or provocation and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Besides, China had also threatened the US over Tibet two days ago.

The USS John S McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur, guided-missile destroyers from the US 7th fleet deployed at Japan’s Yokosuka port, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. The two destroyers are armed with anti-missile defence systems and jointly patrolled the waters for the first time this year. The US Navy stated that ‘The sea patrols were necessary to demonstrate the US’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Also, we completed the operation within the frame of international law.’

However, China expressed outrage over the patrols. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has alleged that ‘The US warships are provoking China by putting up a show of force in the region. The patrols are sending the wrong message to the groups demanding Taiwanese independence. Also, it could threaten peace in the region.’ Further, Wenbin has warned that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was prepared to retaliate to any threat or provocation and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China has been claiming that Taiwan is a part of its territory. Therefore, it has consistently been warning that no nation in the world must establish political, military or any other cooperation with the island. Nevertheless, the US’ Trump administration has snubbed China’s warnings and expanded military ties with Taiwan. Simultaneously, by sending its battleships through the Taiwanese waters, the US has sent a message conveying its commitment to the island nation. Only two weeks ago, the US warship USS Martin had sailed through the region. After that, China sent its aircraft carriers in the area to show disregard towards the US.

The US-China tensions are raging for the past few months over a wide range of issues such as trade war, coronavirus, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Tibet. China has objected to the US bill that was passed this week on Tibet and Taiwan. The Chinese Communist regime had arrested 12 of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists, an incident which was severely condemned by the US.

Meanwhile, China expressed confidence that the US-China relations would be straightened out during US President-elect Joe Biden’s term. The US media expects Biden’s policy to be favourable to China. Even so, Biden’s advisors and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director, Stanley McChrystal have advocated that the President-elect continue with Trump’s policy on China more aggressively.

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