US warships sail through Taiwan Strait for first time since Pelosi's controversial visit
FOX NewsDec 24, 2022
The Facts
On Sun., the US Navy stated that two US warships entered the Taiwan Strait - allegedly to show its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific - in the first such operation since US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island.
According to the US 7th Fleet, the USS Chancellorsville and the USS Antietam cruisers sailed through a corridor "beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state."
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
These operations, though not a direct threat to Chinese security, indicate that the US is likely to try to prevent a peaceful Chinese reunification by escalating tensions and accelerating instability. Rather than trying to attack China via Taiwan, US strategists must abandon the arrogant conviction that they have authority over Chinese matters.
Anti-China narrative
This is a calculated decision to reaffirm the Biden administration's commitment to freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. By not shying away from Chinese threats and war games, the US is showing continued support for Taiwan.