USS Benfold crosses Formosa Strait

And they have done it again: the American destroyer USS Benfold passed through the Formosa Strait on 28 July, according to the Pentagon. The disputed strait, which is around 180 kilometres wide, forms the border between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan. At irregular intervals, US units, as well as ships from allies such as Australia, cross the waters in the South China Sea claimed by China and other nations. In doing so, they deliberately do not adhere to the various rules that the neighbouring countries have issued for the regions that they count as their territory. These include prior notification and the request for authorisation.

Text: mb; Photo: US Navy