U.S. and China Face Off in Naval Standoff Amid Heightened Tensions Over Taiwan
USS Nimitz (MC2 Michael Cole/US Navy)
Following the historic April 5, 2023, meeting between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, tensions in the Taiwan Strait have escalated as China deploys its advanced aircraft carrier, the Shandong, within 200 nautical miles of Taiwan's east coast. In a potentially parallel move, the United States has stationed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier approximately 400 nautical miles east of Taiwan
The Shandong Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was deployed on the same day as the closed-door meeting held at the Reagan Library in California. This meeting, which lasted two hours, marked the first time a high-ranking US official met with a leader of Taiwan on US soil since Washington severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979. China has vehemently condemned the gathering, despite it proceeding as planned.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng could not confirm whether the USS Nimitz was deployed in response to the Shandong's movements. However, he did state that Taiwan's Kang Ding-class and Cheng Kung-class frigates were dispatched as a direct reaction to the Chinese carrier's presence.
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated the country's stance on Taiwan in response to the US-Taiwan meeting, stating, “There is only one China. Taiwan is an unalienable part of China. China has reiterated several times that we resolutely oppose the U.S. conducting official interaction with the Taiwanese government in any form.”
Naval analysts suggest that it is strategically advantageous for exercises to occur in waters where potential future conflicts might arise. The Shandong Carrier Group's location in the West Pacific waters, east of Taiwan and south of Japan, is of strategic importance, as it would allow China to surround Taiwan and deter foreign forces from intervening in the Taiwan question militarily. This is likely why the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has chosen to conduct drills in this particular area.