{"id":18352,"date":"2020-01-20T16:58:31","date_gmt":"2020-01-20T16:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/20\/china-monitored-us-warship-during-taiwan-strait-transit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:51:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:51:40","slug":"china-monitored-us-warship-during-taiwan-strait-transit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2020\/01\/20\/china-monitored-us-warship-during-taiwan-strait-transit\/","title":{"rendered":"China monitored US warship during Taiwan Strait transit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING \u2014 Here\u2019s a look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHINA MARKS PASSAGE OF US WARSHIPS IN TAIWAN STRAIT<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

China says it monitored the passage of a U.S. Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait last week, just days after the island\u2019s pro-independence president won reelection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Friday that China had been “fully aware” of and “following closely the whole process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geng said the U.S. should handle Taiwan-related issues “cautiously and properly so as to avoid damaging China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Navy said the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Shiloh had completed a passage through the Taiwan Strait, but provided no other details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Navy frequently sails through the strait, which provides the fastest route from the South China Sea to the East China Sea that connects China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\t