26-10-2020 | 14:36 PM
U.S warship in the Taiwan Strait infuriates China
Context
A U.S. warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait in what the American military described as a “routine” passage, but it enraged China, who claims sovereignty over the island and the surrounding seas.
Key facts
In recent months, relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated over issues such as trade and Hong Kong, with the self-ruled island of Taiwan a long-running source of tension.
The USS Barry guided-missile destroyer sailed through the Strait. The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Any U.S. Navy operations in the Taiwan Strait provoke a strong reaction from Beijing, which considers Taiwan to be an inviolable part of its territory. Taiwan Strait separates China from the island
About Taiwan
After the end of China's civil war in 1949, the island has been governed separately.
Taiwan has its own flag, currency and military, but the United Nations does not recognise it as an independent country.
Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Asian Development Bank under various names.
In order to strengthen ties with China, Washington ended its diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979, but the U.S. remains the island's strongest ally and its main supplier of arms.
Having been succeeded by the PRC in 1971, the Republic of China is no longer a member of the UN. Taiwan is claimed by the PRC, which refuses diplomatic relations with countries that recognise the Republic of China.
In the International organisations in which the PRC participates, it either refuse to grant membership to Taiwan or allow it to participate only on a non-state basis.