TAIPEI, Reuters – On Saturday, a U.S. warship railed across the Taiwan Strait, as part of routine U.S. activity that irritates China.

U.S. Navy 7th Fleet stated that the guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson, an Arleigh Burke class vessel, was making a “routine transit” through international waters.

Nicholas Lingo, spokesperson for 7th Fleet said that the ship’s passage through Taiwan Strait “demonstrates the United States commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” “The United States Military operates everywhere international law permits. It flies and sails wherever it is allowed.”

China’s Defence Ministry didn’t immediately reply to my faxed request. The U.S. Navy was contacted by Taiwan’s Defence Ministry.

The Strait was traversed by U.S. Naval Ships approximately once a month last year. Saturday’s sailing marks the first time since November.

China asserts Taiwan is democratically controlled by it and has conducted numerous air force operations into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the last two years. This angered Taipei.

Beijing regards Taiwan as the most critical and significant issue in Washingtonian relations.

The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it is the country’s most significant international supporter and arms supplier.