7th Fleet Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait

Amid Rising Tensions Between US and China

Amid rising tensions between the US and China, a US Navy aircraft carrier and its strike group transited the Taiwan Strait on Monday, 27th of February 2023. The move is seen as a show of force by the US, which has been increasingly critical of China's military buildup and its claims to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China considers its own territory.

US-China Tensions Over Taiwan

The US has long maintained a policy of "strategic ambiguity" toward Taiwan, meaning it does not explicitly state whether it would come to Taiwan's defense in the event of a Chinese invasion. However, the US has also sold arms to Taiwan and conducted joint military exercises with the island nation, moves that have angered China.

In recent years, tensions between the US and China over Taiwan have risen, as China has become more assertive in its claims to the island. In 2022, China conducted a series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, and it has also sent military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone on a regular basis.

Taiwan Strait Transit

The transit of the Taiwan Strait by the US aircraft carrier and its strike group is the first such transit since August 2022. The move is seen as a signal that the US is willing to challenge China's claims to Taiwan, and it is likely to further increase tensions between the two countries.

International Reaction

The transit of the Taiwan Strait has been met with mixed reactions from the international community. Some countries, such as Japan and Australia, have expressed support for the US move, while others, such as Russia, have criticized it. The Chinese government has also condemned the transit, calling it a "provocation" that "undermines peace and stability in the region."

Outlook

The transit of the Taiwan Strait is a significant development in the US-China relationship. It is likely to further increase tensions between the two countries, and it could have implications for the future of Taiwan and the wider Asia-Pacific region.