U.S. 7th Fleet Destroyer and Royal Canadian Navy Unite for Bold Passage Through Taiwan Strait

TAIWAN STRAIT – In a significant display of international maritime rights, the USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the HMCS Vancouver, a Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate, navigated the Taiwan Strait on October 20. This transit took place through a corridor of the high seas that lies beyond the territorial waters of any nation, adhering strictly to international law.

The passage of these vessels underscores a shared commitment by the United States and Canada to uphold freedom of navigation, a fundamental principle for all nations. This routine operation reaffirms the stance that navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait must remain unobstructed.

The United States maintains a firm position against any claims of sovereignty or jurisdiction that compromise the internationally recognized freedoms of navigation and overflight. This action highlights a broader international commitment to preserving lawful uses of the sea and air.