The waters between Taiwan and mainland China have once again become a flashpoint, with Beijing lashing out after two Western warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait.
The move, carried out by the UK and the US, has drawn sharp condemnation from China, which accused both nations of provocation and “trouble-making.”
The Warships That Sparked Beijing’s Anger
On Friday, Britain’s HMS Richmond and America’s USS Higgins sailed through the narrow waterway that separates Taiwan from China.
While Washington and London described the passage as a routine operation in international waters, Beijing saw it very differently.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theatre Command, blasted the transit as harassment that undermines regional peace.
Chinese naval and air forces closely shadowed the two ships during the journey.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, however, insisted the vessels were simply exercising their right to freedom of navigation under international law.
A Symbolic and Strategic Waterway
The Taiwan Strait, though only about 110 miles wide at its narrowest point, holds massive strategic weight.
It’s a vital shipping route that connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is central to global trade. For China, the strait is also a key vulnerability.
Officials in Beijing worry that in the event of conflict, the U.S. and its allies could blockade the passage, dealing a devastating blow to China’s export-driven economy.
Beijing’s Aircraft Carrier Joins the Picture
Adding to the tension, satellite images revealed that China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was operating in the same region on the very same day.
The massive vessel, still undergoing sea trials, has not yet been formally commissioned, but its presence highlights Beijing’s growing naval power.
Taiwan’s Crucial Role in Global Security
Taiwan may be small—just a fraction of the size of mainland China—but its importance is outsized.
The island is a hub for advanced manufacturing and technology, sitting at the heart of the global supply chain.
It also forms part of the “first island chain,” a line of territories from Japan down to the Philippines, many of which are aligned with the U.S.
This geographic arc acts as a natural barrier to Chinese military expansion into the wider Pacific.
Beijing’s Longstanding Claim
For decades, China’s ruling Communist Party, led by President Xi Jinping, has insisted that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must eventually be brought back under Beijing’s control.
The U.S., meanwhile, has repeatedly warned that China could be preparing for a potential invasion as early as 2027, pointing to the country’s rapid military build-up.
Beijing denies any such plans but continues to expand its navy at an extraordinary pace.
Taiwan Welcomes Western Support
While Beijing fumes, Taiwan sees the passage of allied ships as a reassurance.
In response to the Royal Navy’s role in the latest operation, Taiwan’s foreign ministry issued a statement thanking Britain for taking “concrete action” to defend freedom of navigation and reinforcing the principle that the strait is international waters.
A Pattern of Confrontation
This is not the first time Beijing has bristled at British ships sailing through the Taiwan Strait.
Just in June, China accused the UK of stirring trouble when patrol vessel HMS Spey made the same journey.
That incident triggered a massive show of force: 74 Chinese warplanes were sent toward Taiwan, with 61 crossing the strait’s unofficial median line.
What Comes Next
As the U.S., the UK, and their allies continue to stress the right to operate in international waters, China remains determined to treat such moves as hostile.
With the Taiwan Strait’s strategic importance growing and Beijing’s naval presence expanding, the world could see more of these tense encounters in the months ahead.