TAIPEI (Reuters] -A U.S. warship and a Canadian ship sailed through Taiwan Strait last week. The announcement was made by the American military on Sunday. It comes at a moment of increased tension between Beijing, Taipei, which has sparked concerns internationally.

China asserts Taiwan is democratically controlled by it and has conducted numerous air force raids into Taiwan’s ADSIZ (air defence identification zone) during the past year. This angered Taipei.

Over a period of four days, China dispatched around 150 planes into the zone starting on October 1.

According to the U.S. military, the guided missile destroyer USS Dewey of Arleigh Burke class was able to pass through Taiwan’s narrow waterway with help from the Canadian frigate HMCS Manitoba on Thursday and Friday.

It added that “Dewey and Winnipeg transited through Taiwan Strait to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific free and open for all,”

To the fury of Beijing, American Navy vessels have been passing through the Strait approximately monthly. Beijing has also accused Washington of inflaming regional tensions. U.S. allies occasionally also send ships through the strait, including a British warship https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/british-frigate-sails-through-taiwan-strait-2021-09-27 last month.

While tensions have risen across Taiwan Strait, there has not been any shooting. Chinese aircraft have not entered Taiwanese aerospace. They have concentrated their activity at the ADIZ’s southwestern portion.

The ADIZ includes Taiwan’s territorial air space. However, Taiwan patrols more of the area and monitors it closely to ensure Taiwan has sufficient time to react to threats.

Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that on Sunday, three Chinese aircraft — two J-16 fighters aircraft and one anti-submarine plane — flew again into the ADIZ.