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US Sails Warship Near Taiwan a Week Ahead of Presidential Inauguration

Reuters

   TAIPEI - The U.S. Navy said on Thursday it had sailed a guided-missile
   destroyer through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, a week before Taiwan
   President Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration for a second term in office amid
   rising tensions with China.

   China, which considers Taiwan its territory, has been angered by the
   Trump administration's strong support for the island, such as increased
   arms sales. Beijing-Washington ties have also been buffeted by fallout
   from the coronavirus pandemic.

   The U.S. Pacific Fleet, in a statement on its Facebook page, said the
   USS McCampbell had transited the narrow strait that separates Taiwan
   from mainland China on Wednesday, showing pictures of the ship under
   way.

   Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the ship had sailed south on what it
   termed an "ordinary mission," adding it was continuing in that
   direction.

   Tsai, who will be sworn in for her second and final term next
   Wednesday, won re-election by a landslide in January, vowing to defend
   Taiwan's democracy and stand up to China.

   Both China and the United States have ramped up military activities
   near Taiwan in recent months, including regular U.S. sailings through
   the Taiwan Strait, and regular Chinese air force drills near the
   island.

   Last Friday, Taiwan said a Chinese air force Y-8 aircraft had briefly
   crossed into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting Taiwan
   jets to warn it to leave.

   China operates the Y-8 both as a transport and early warning and
   electronic warfare aircraft.

   Taiwan has denounced the Chinese drills as attempts at intimidation and
   has told Beijing it should focus its efforts on fighting the
   coronavirus rather than menacing the island.

   China considers Tsai to be a separatist, charges she strongly denies.

   Late next week, China will open its delayed annual meeting of
   parliament, where it is expected to release its defense budget for the
   year, a number closely watched around the region as President Xi
   Jinping oversees a military modernization plan.