Japan’s warship sails through Taiwan Strait for the first time, a significant move amid rising tensions with China, reports say.
The Japanese destroyer JS Sazanami made its way through the strait on Wednesday, heading to join military exercises in the South China Sea.
This passage, along with ships from Australia and New Zealand, marks Japan’s first official entry into the Taiwan Strait, a move previously avoided to prevent upsetting China. China claims Taiwan and the strait as its own, which adds to the tension.
Though neither Japan nor Taiwan has commented on this naval operation, Chinese state media reported that the military was closely monitoring the situation.
The Taiwan Strait is a crucial shipping route, with around half of the world’s container ships passing through it, and the U.S. and Taiwan assert that it should remain open to all naval vessels.
For years, only the U.S. Pacific fleet regularly traveled this route, but recently, Canada, Australia, and even Germany have sent their ships through, signaling a united front against China’s territorial claims.
Japan’s decision to sail through is seen as a shift from its long-standing policy of avoiding direct confrontation with China, indicating a growing sense of urgency regarding Chinese military actions in the region.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed concern over frequent airspace violations by Chinese military aircraft near Japan, reflecting heightened tensions.
Experts like Bec Strating from La Trobe University noted that this increase in naval presence by various nations is a response to China’s aggressive maritime behavior.
This development highlights Japan’s growing military assertiveness and reflects broader geopolitical shifts as countries unite to counter China’s influence in Asia.
The leaders of Japan, Australia, India, and the U.S., known as the Quad group, have also committed to enhancing maritime cooperation in response to these challenges【BBC】.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28yd04xxno