China military says it monitored US warship in Taiwan Strait
China military says it monitored US warship in Taiwan Strait
BEIJING - China's military said on Thursday that it had dispatched naval and air forces to monitor and warn a U.S. guided missile destroyer that sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
The U.S. Navy, occasionally accompanied by ships from allied countries, transits the strait about once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, says the strategic waterway belongs to it.
China held its latest round of war games around Taiwan earlier this month, drawing condemnation from Taipei and concern from the United States and its allies.
The Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army named the ship as the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence, and said it passed through the strait on Wednesday in an act of "public hyping".
"Relevant remarks by the United States have inverted right and wrong, distorted legal principles, confused the public and misled international perception," the command said in a statement, without specifying which comments it was referring to.
"We are telling the United States to stop their distortions and hyping and to work together to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
The U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Its last publicly announced sailing through the strait was in February. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Swiss government approves package of measures for closer EU ties
FILE PHOTO: Switzerland's national flag flies beside the one of the European Union in Steinhausen, Switzerland February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/ File Photo ZURICH - The Swiss cabinet on Friday said it has approved the agreements struck with the European Union last year to regulate their relationship and has now launched a domestic consultation process. The uncertain global geopolitical situation made it a "strategic necessity" for Switzerland to maintain stable and predictable relations with the European Union, its biggest trading partner, the government said. "After Switzerland brought the negotiations with the EU to a successful close in December 2024, the Federal Council finalised the implementing legislation and accompanying measures," the cabinet said. Issues such as wage protections, immigration and electricity as well as the type of referendum to be held on accepting the proposals have all been agreed over the last five months. The consultation process will last until October 31, 2025, the Swiss cabinet said. Parliament will debate the package before a referendum is held, likely in 2028. "With this package, the cabinet is aiming for customised sectoral participation in the EU single market as well as cooperation in selected areas," the cabinet said in a statement. "Given the current global unrest, maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries is key," it added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Iraq accuses Israel of using its airspace to attack Iran
A building that was hit by Israeli air strikes in central Tehran on June 13. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Iraq accuses Israel of using its airspace to attack Iran Follow our live coverage here. BAGHDAD - Iraq filed a complaint on June 13 with the United Nations Security Council over Israel's 'violation of Iraqi airspace' in a major attack on Iran, Baghdad's foreign ministry said. 'These practices constitute a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty,' the ministry said, calling on 'the Security Council to assume its responsibilities' and act to 'prevent the recurrence of such violations'. Early on June 13 , three missiles were found in Iraqi desert areas, one of them not yet exploded in the central Diyala province and two others in the southern province of Dhi Qar, according to two security sources. The sources said the missiles in Dhi Qar gouged a 4m deep crater in the ground. The Iraqi government has denounced the 'military aggression' launched by Israel against Iran, describing it as 'a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law'. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highest religious authority for millions of Shi'ite Muslims in Iraq and around the world, also condemned 'the crime committed by the entity occupying Palestine'. He called on 'the international community to pressure this aggressor and its allies to prevent the repetition of such attacks'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump urges Iran to make a deal after Israeli attacks
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks, as he signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 9, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/ File Photo U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran on Friday to make a deal on its nuclear program before it faced more attacks from Israel that he said would be "even more brutal." "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said in a post on his social media platform. "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left." Israel launched an array of strikes against dozens of Iranian targets on Friday, hitting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. Israel said it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons, even as the Trump administration was preparing to hold a sixth round of talks on Sunday on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment program. Trump said Friday he had given Tehran a 60-day ultimatum, which expired on Thursday, to make a deal. He encouraged Tehran to take advantage of a "second chance." Amid his push for diplomacy, the U.S. president praised Israel's attacks in brief telephone interviews with television outlets early Friday. "I think it's been excellent," Trump told ABC News in an interview. "And there's more to come. A lot more." Trump told CNN that "The people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners." Trump is scheduled to attend a security meeting at the White House at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT) REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
