Japan Sends Destroyer Through Taiwan Strait Amid Rising Tensions

The Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer Sazanami sailed through the Taiwan Strait on September 25, marking the first time a Japanese warship has navigated the waterway during a period of heightened Chinese military activity near Japan. This move is widely seen as a response to China's recent provocations.

The Sazanami's journey began in the East China Sea, where it sailed southward before passing through the Taiwan Strait and entering the South China Sea. Notably, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels also transited the strait, suggesting potential coordination among the three nations. This coordinated action comes ahead of a planned joint exercise between the MSDF and the navies of Australia and New Zealand in the South China Sea.

The Taiwan Strait is considered an international waterway by Western nations, who assert the right to freedom of navigation and routinely send naval vessels through the area. However, China claims jurisdiction over the strait, leading the MSDF to previously refrain from sending warships through the waters.

China's military activities near Japan have significantly increased since August, raising concerns about its intentions. A Chinese reconnaissance plane entered Japanese airspace off the coast of Nagasaki for the first time on August 26. A Chinese survey vessel then entered Japanese waters near Kagoshima Prefecture on August 31. Most recently, on September 18, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning passed through Japanese-controlled waters between Yonaguni Island and Iriomotejima Island in Okinawa Prefecture, marking the first such passage by a Chinese aircraft carrier.

The Sazanami's passage through the Taiwan Strait is a significant development, signaling Japan's growing concern over China's assertive actions and its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation in the region. It remains to be seen how China will respond to this latest move and whether it will further escalate tensions in the already volatile region.