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.