China accuses US of affecting peace in Taiwan strait
China accuses the United States of undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait after the USS Benfold, a guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday.
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USS Benfold (DDG-65), US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
The United States is undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to Col. Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command.
The USS Benfold, a guided missile destroyer, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday. "Frequent provocations and shows by the United States amply demonstrate that the US is the destroyer of peace and stability, as well as the creator of security threats in the Taiwan Strait," Shi said in a statement.
The PLA military monitored the entire route of the USS Benfold through the Taiwan Strait, according to the spokesperson.
Shi stated that the forces of the Eastern Theater Command are always on high alert to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What's the story?
A statement released by the 7th Fleet Public Affairs stated yesterday that "The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Benfold conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit July 19 (local time) through international waters in accordance with international law."
The Navy contended that the ship sailed through international waters along a corridor in the strait that was beyond the territorial coast of any coastal state.
"The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the 7th Fleet said.
Beijing threatens any US intervention
The Chinese government warned on Tuesday that it would take forceful measures if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan after reports emerged about the Democrat going to the island in August.
A Financial Times report said Pelosi will be heading a delegation that will tour East Asia, visiting Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. They will then spend time in Hawaii at the headquarters of the US Indo-Pacific command.
China had warned against the visit in April when Pelosi was supposed to embark on her tour, saying it would have a severe impact on Sino-US relations. However, the tour was postponed due to the House speaker testing positive for Covid-19 at the time.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said any visit by Pelosi would "seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
"If the US side obstinately clings to this course, China will definitely take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "The United States must be fully responsible for all the consequences caused by this."
