China Says US 'Creating Tensions' after Warship Sails near Taiwan - Tasnim News Agency

The United States is deliberately “creating tensions” and disrupting peace and stability, China’s military said, after a US warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, the first such mission under the new Biden administration.

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

The US Navy said the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain had “conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit Feb. 4 in accordance with international law”. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry described it as a “normal” mission.

In a statement late on Thursday, the Eastern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said its forces had followed and tracked the ship.

“The US move is a repeat of its old trick of ‘mixed manipulation’ of the situation across the Taiwan Strait, deliberately creating tensions and disrupting regional peace and stability. We are resolutely opposed to this,” it said, Reuters reported.

“No matter how the situation in the Taiwan Strait changes, theatre troops will loyally perform their duties and mission, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”

Last year the US Navy sailed through the narrow Taiwan Strait 13 times.