Taiwan: US Warships Sail Through Strait

Facts

• On Sun., the US Navy stated that two US warships entered the Taiwan Strait - allegedly to show its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific - in the first such operation since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island.
• According to the US 7th Fleet, the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Antietam cruisers sailed through a corridor "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state."
• In response, the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command declared that it had tracked the US ships, and that it was maintaining a "high alert" and would be "ready to foil any provocation at any time." However, it said it was not suggesting any further actions.
• This reaction contrasts those to past transits in the Strait this year, which prompted Beijing to deem the US "destroyer of the peace and stability" and a supporter of Taiwan's separatist forces.
• Tensions over the Taiwan Strait have run high recently as Beijing has launched military drills around the island it claims is its own territory. It has also accused the US of meddling in its internal affairs.
• On Thurs., US Sen. Marsha Blackburn arrived in Taiwan on the third visit by a US official this month, despite China voicing its opposition.

Sources: BBC News, Politico, New York Times, CNN, Guardian, and New York Post.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. These operations, though not a direct threat to Chinese security, indicate that the US is likely to try to prevent a peaceful Chinese reunification by escalating tensions and accelerating instability. Rather than trying to attack China via Taiwan, US strategists must abandon the arrogant conviction that they have authority over Chinese matters.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Bloomberg. This is a calculated decision to reaffirm the Biden administration's commitment to freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. By not shying away from Chinese threats and war games, the US is showing continued support for Taiwan.

Predictions