Two US Navy ships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate US commitment to freedom of navigation in the region, the press service of the US Navy Pacific Fleet said in a published statement.
'USS Stockdale (DDG-106) and USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit on 28 November (local time), in accordance with international law. The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows', US Pacific Fleet spokesperson Lt. j.g. Rachel McMarr stated.
This is the third such operation this year, the previous ones took place in July and October.
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A similar situation took place on 22 October when the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) transited the Taiwan Strait with no incidents.