The United States and the self-ruling island of Taiwan regard most of the Taiwan Strait—only 80 miles wide at its narrowest point—as “international waters,” thereby allowing freedom of navigation for all countries. By contrast, China has asserted sovereignty and jurisdiction, demanding permission for foreign military passage. To its frustration, the United States has periodically sailed warships through the Strait in “freedom of navigation operations,” intended as a show of force against Beijing.

China has periodically engaged in shows of force of its own. On Tuesday, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Type 003 CNS Fujian, transited the strait as part of China’s efforts to exert military pressure on Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that will be returned to mainland control by force if necessary.

Taipei, which rejects Beijing’s claims, carefully monitored the movements of the Fujian, which is now believed to be heading back to a Shanghai shipyard for maintenance after a recent shakedown cruise and as it completes........

© The National Interest