China Warns Australian Warship Passing Through Taiwan Strait
China’s People’s Liberation Army has announced that it closely monitored and tracked an Australian warship passing through the Taiwan Strait, issuing a warning over its entry into what Beijing calls its “territorial waters.” This move comes amid ongoing tensions over the status of this strategic waterway.
The Chinese newspaper Global Times, citing informed sources, reported that Chinese military forces conducted surveillance and warning operations throughout the ship’s passage. Chinese officials have not provided further details regarding the type of warning or the Australian warship’s response.
China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and claims sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, several countries, including the United States and its allies, regard this waterway as an international passage and routinely sail their naval vessels through it.
In recent years, the passage of warships from the US, France, Australia, the UK, and Canada through the Taiwan Strait has elicited strong reactions from Beijing. At the same time, China has increased its military presence in the areas surrounding Taiwan and held new military exercises around the island in late December.
The Taiwan Strait is one of the key maritime routes in East Asia, and any military movements there have broad political and security implications for the region and the world.
