U.S. sails warships through Taiwan Strait in first since Pelosi

The cruisers “transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state”, the U.S. Navy statement said

The U.S. Navy is sailing two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, in the first such transit publicised since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier in August, at a time when tensions have kept the waterway particularly busy.

The USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville are conducting a routine transit, the U.S. 7th Fleet said.

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The cruisers “transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state”, the statement said.

China conducted many military exercises in the strait as it sought to punish Taiwan after Pelosi visited the self-ruled island against Beijing's threats.

China has sent many warships sailing in the Taiwan Strait and waters surrounding Taiwan since Pelosi's visit, as well as sending warplanes and firing long-range missiles.

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