Japan's Historic Passage Through Taiwan Strait Sparks Tensions with China

Japan's Self Defense Force (SDF) sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time, angering China. The passage was coordinated with Australian and New Zealand naval ships, and joint exercises in the South China Sea are planned. Both Japan and China are expressing concerns over each other's military activities in the region.

Japan's Self Defense Force made a historic passage through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, igniting tensions with Beijing. This unprecedented move saw the SDF destroyer Sazanami navigate from the East China Sea, spending over 10 hours in the strategic waterway. The journey, accompanied by Australian and New Zealand naval ships, signals a coordinated effort among the nations to address security concerns in the region.

According to Japan's Yomiuri newspaper, the three navies are set to commence joint exercises in the South China Sea. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi refrained from commenting directly on the transit but highlighted Japan's strong vigilance regarding China's augmented military presence. China, perturbed by the move, urged Japan to adhere to its commitments on the Taiwan issue.

Taiwan has also raised alarms about escalating Chinese military activity, mirroring the increased vigilance by the U.S. and German navies, which recently asserted their rights to freedom of navigation in the strait. Amid these developments, Beijing executed a rare intercontinental ballistic missile launch into the Pacific Ocean, as leaders of the Quad nations enhance their joint security initiatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)