TAIWAN: In a move likely to raise eyebrows, Taiwan announced on Friday that an Australian warship, identified as the Toowoomba, sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
This strategically crucial and narrow waterway serves as the separation between Taiwan and China, and its navigation has been a point of contention between the two nations.
The Taiwanese defence ministry confirmed the passage of the Australian warship, indicating that it entered the strait on Thursday and traversed it in a southerly direction. Although the specific details of the transit were not provided, Taiwan’s military reportedly maintained vigilance throughout the journey.
Australian defence officials acknowledged the transit, characterizing it as part of the ship’s regional deployment. Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, noted that while the Australian navy regularly undertakes such transits, they typically do not publicize them.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of strained military relations between Australia and China. Just last week, Canberra raised concerns about an incident involving a Chinese warship and the same Australian vessel, Toowoomba, in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone, resulting in an injured Australian military diver.
The United States Navy conducts routine transits through the Taiwan Strait approximately once a month, a practice consistently met with objections from China. Graham cautioned against interpreting the timing of the Australian warship’s transit as a deliberate message to China, emphasizing that such movements are part of lawful routes from the East China Sea to the South China Sea.
The Taiwan Strait has been a focal point of tension, with Taiwan registering complaints about repeated Chinese military activities in the region over the past four years. As Taiwan prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13, the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Taiwan Strait gain increased significance, with nations navigating the delicate balance in the Asia-Pacific region.
