Taiwan Strait – Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) conduct routine operations through high-pressure waters on October 20 (local time). Passed through the Taiwan Strait. – Freedom of navigation and overflight at sea applies in accordance with international law. The ship passed through the high seas corridor of the strait beyond the territorial waters of the coastal state.
Sailors stand watch aboard the USS Higgins (DDG 76) during bilateral operations with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Taiwan Strait. (MC3 Trevor Hale)
USS Higgins (DDG 76) conducts bilateral operations with HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) in the Taiwan Strait. (MC3 Trevor Hale)
OS3 Jose Rivera stands watch in the combat information center of the USS Higgins (DDG 76) during bilateral operations with the Royal Canadian Navy in the Taiwan Strait. (MC3 Trevor Hale)
Higgins and Vancouver’s passage through the Taiwan Strait demonstrated the commitment of the United States and Canada to uphold freedom of navigation for all nations in principle. The international community’s navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be restricted. The United States rejects any claims of sovereignty or jurisdiction inconsistent with the freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and air.
