A U.S. aircraft carrier battle group has entered the South China Sea for routine operations, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) announced Sunday amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan.
“The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) entered the South China Sea on Jan. 23 to conduct routine operations. TRCSG is engaged in a U.S. 7th Fleet mission to secure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that promote maritime security and conduct a wide range of operations,” an INDOPACOM statement said. Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory, recently accused China of encroaching on the island’s air defense identification zone. On Saturday, the U.S. State Department said Washington will strengthen ties with Taiwan and called on the Chinese side to cease alleged military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan. Taiwanese envoy to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim was present during U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony Wednesday, marking Taiwan’s first formal representation in Washington since the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Taipei more than 40 years ago. The United States, along with many other countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and officially adheres to the “one China” policy. However, Washington has maintained informal relations with the island after severing diplomatic ties with it in 1979. China, which sees Taiwan as its own breakaway province, is annoyed by its cooperation with Washington, especially in defense.
by Basit Abbasi – CCTV