China’s Military Tracks Dutch Frigate HNLMS De Ruyter in the Taiwan Strait
Incident Overview and International Response
Chinese Military Actions in the Taiwan Strait
BEIJING, June 5 (Reuters) - China's military said on Friday it dispatched naval and air assets to track and monitor Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter transiting the Taiwan Strait and handled the situation "effectively."
Background: Paracel Islands Dispute
Beijing last week said the same frigate illegally intruded into the Paracel Islands archipelago in the disputed South China Sea. The Netherlands said at the time the warship was sailing through the South China Sea for diplomatic, security and economic reasons and was operating in accordance with international law.
Timeline of Events
The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command (ETC) said the Dutch naval vessel's passage through Taiwan Strait came after its activities in the Paracel Islands since May 27.
PLA Statement and Security Measures
"Forces of the PLA ETC will stay on high alert at all times and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability," Xu Chenghua, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a Friday statement.
International Reactions and Regional Implications
A spokesperson for the Dutch navy could not be immediately reached for comment.
China’s Position on the Taiwan Strait
In addition to claiming sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, Beijing views the narrow, highly strategic strait as Chinese territorial waters.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Additional reporting by Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague; Editing by Louise Heavens, Toby Chopra and Tomasz Janowski)
