TAIPEI (Reuters – The sensitive Taiwan Strait was traversed by a U.S. Warship on Tuesday.

U.S. Navy 7th Fleet stated that the guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal made a “routine Taiwan Strait transit” through international waters, “in accordance to international law”.

It stated in a statement that the ship had passed through the Strait corridor, which is not within the territory of any coast State.

The United States is committed to a free Indo-Pacific. Port Royal made a transit across the Taiwan Strait. United States military is free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law permits.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stated that the U.S. Ship sailed through the Strait to reach Taiwan and that conditions in the waterway were “normal”.

China’s military conducted an additional round of training exercises in Taiwan last week, according to the People’s Liberation Army. The exercise was done after the Chinese-claimed island experienced an increase in activity.

China condemns the USS Sampson, guided-missile destroyer and destroyer of peacekeeping forces that sailed through Taiwan Strait in April 27th.

These voyages are carried out by the United States about once per month. This angers China who views them as a signal of support for Taiwan which is democratically administered and Beijing considers Chinese territory.

Although the United States has not established diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is a major international supporter of Taiwan and arms supplier. This makes Taiwan a source of tension for Washington.