US warships' transit risky provocation

US spy ship's data collection a dangerous move

From Feb 10 to 12, the US destroyer Johnson and ocean survey ship Bowditch transited through the Taiwan Strait, conveying a series of significant messages.

The US is poised to heighten its utilization of the "Taiwan card" no matter who assumes presidency. Furthermore, the US is set to increase its intelligence-gathering activities on China. In contrast to previous missions where US vessels entered and exited the area on the same day, this time, the actions of the US ships extended from the 10 to the 12, a notably prolonged period.

The Bowditch, part of the US navy's Military Sealift Command and one of five oceanographic survey ships, is in reality a fully equipped spy ship, frequently deployed globally for intelligence collection using advanced reconnaissance systems. The passage of the Bowditch through the Taiwan Strait underscores a growing emphasis on intelligence gathering from China. While such activities were previously conducted discreetly, the simultaneous transit of Bowditch and Johnson signals the US' unabashed approach to intelligence operations.

Moreover, the regular transit of US warships through the Taiwan Strait is anticipated to become a recurring event. The Ralph Johnson, the 64th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer equipped with the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system for integrated air defense and missile defense operations, has crossed the Taiwan Strait multiple times, including on Sept 9, 2023, and Aug 22, 2024. It is expected that future US naval operations will maintain this trend.

The actions of the US have significant repercussions. They send an erroneous message to the Taiwan authorities, emboldening the Democratic Progressive Party's pursuit of "independence". They could exert a negative influence on other nations, potentially encouraging countries like Canada, Germany, and Japan to emulate such actions. These actions pose a substantial threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region.

Zhong Houtao is an associate professor at the School of National Security, University of International Relations.