Amid escalating tension between Washington and Beijing, the US destroyer passes through the Taiwan Strait for the second time in a month

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense announced Friday that an American warship sailed south through the strategic Taiwan Strait amid escalating tensions with China.

In a statement sent to reporters, the ministry said that the Taiwan armed forces closely monitored the pass, saying that the situation is normal.

The crossing is the second this month for a US warship across the 180-kilometer Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan from China.

The American fleet in the Pacific Ocean published on its Facebook page today, photos showing American sailors aboard the destroyer USS Barry while crossing the strait.

The US transit comes after the Chinese aircraft carrier, Liaoning, entered southern Taiwan on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Taiwan military released a surveillance image it had taken of the Chinese ship.

It is noteworthy that Taiwan has enjoyed its independent government since 1949.

Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory.