San Francisco (KCBS RADIO) – For the first time since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this month, two U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait during a naval exercise.
The warships, the USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville, are now traveling through the Strait on a routine transit, which takes about 12 hours, according to the Navy's 7th Fleet, NBC News reported.
The 7th Fleet is headquartered in Japan and shared in its statement that "The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."
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"The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows," the statement said.
Colonel Shi Yi posted in a statement to the Chinese site Weibo that troops are on "high alert" as they monitor the ships closely.
Pelosi's trip to the island of Taiwan earlier this month sparked outrage in Beijing as it considers the country a breakaway Chinese territory. In recent years the superpower has not ruled out using military force to bring it under control.
During Pelosi's visit, several military exercises were held by China, including sending warships through the Strait and scrambling fighter jets.
The conflict dates back to China's civil war that ended in 1949 and was fought between the communists and nationalists. Eventually, nationalists set up a rival government in Taipei, but since the 1970s, the U.S. has only recognized Beijing.
Taiwan has made it clear that the People's Republic of China has never ruled over the island and will never; therefore, it has no claim to it.
The U.S. continues to be the nation's main arms supplier and biggest international backer.
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