Japan has made a significant move by sending a destroyer through the Taiwan Strait for the first time, in the midst of escalating military activities around Japan by China. The Sazanami, along with ships from Australia and New Zealand, traveled south through the waterway, spending over 10 hours to complete the passage. The transit came ahead of planned drills in the disputed South China Sea.
The Japanese government has not provided official confirmation of the reports, but New Zealand’s navy has confirmed that its ship, the HMNZS Aotearoa, made the journey to assert the “right of freedom of navigation.” This action followed a recent incident where a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through waters close to Japan, prompting Tokyo to express strong concern.
The move by Japan to sail through the Taiwan Strait is seen as a response to China’s growing military presence in the region. Beijing has been conducting activities like airspace violations and has increased its naval presence, leading to heightened tensions.
Experts view Japan’s action as part of a broader effort by countries in the region to counter China’s maritime assertiveness. The United States and its allies regularly send ships through the strait to uphold its status as an international waterway. Japan’s decision is also seen as a response to China’s recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, which raised alarm among its neighbors.
The situation underscores the growing concerns among countries in Asia about China’s military buildup and assertive tactics in disputed waters, leading to increased collaboration between nations like Australia, India, Japan, and the US to bolster security in the region.
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