“International waters” is a U.S. military term but not an international law term and there's no legal basis for “international waters” in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
From Taiwan to the mainland, the narrowest point is 70 nautical miles, 12 nautical miles from each coast.
The entire Taiwan straits is contained inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of China, and the ROC and PRC have worked out agreements to allow fishermen to operate from both Taiwan and the mainland.
International shipping is allowed to use Exclusive Economic Zones of other nations for INNOCENT purposes. Innocent means you do not threaten the peace, good order or security of the nation who owns the Exclusive Economic Zone.
In the current state of Cold War, there is no innocent explanation for U.S. Navy ships to be in the Taiwan Straits.
Solution: Everyone should sober up. Give Chinese warships right of passage in the U.S. exclusive economic zones in return for China giving U.S. warships right of passage in China’s exclusive economic zones.
Bonus points: the Pacific Ocean can be boring. When Chinese or U.S. ships are far from home, patrolling off China or U.S. shores, invite the ship to dock for a couple says of rest and relaxation.
Let Chinese sailors set port in Hawaii or Los Angeles. Let U.S. sailors set port in Shanghai or Xiamen. Just because leaders are at Cold War doesn’t mean sailors have to suffer. Be kind.
From Taiwan to the mainland, the narrowest point is 70 nautical miles, 12 nautical miles from each coast.
The entire Taiwan straits is contained inside the Exclusive Economic Zone of China, and the ROC and PRC have worked out agreements to allow fishermen to operate from both Taiwan and the mainland.
International shipping is allowed to use Exclusive Economic Zones of other nations for INNOCENT purposes. Innocent means you do not threaten the peace, good order or security of the nation who owns the Exclusive Economic Zone.
In the current state of Cold War, there is no innocent explanation for U.S. Navy ships to be in the Taiwan Straits.
Solution: Everyone should sober up. Give Chinese warships right of passage in the U.S. exclusive economic zones in return for China giving U.S. warships right of passage in China’s exclusive economic zones.
Bonus points: the Pacific Ocean can be boring. When Chinese or U.S. ships are far from home, patrolling off China or U.S. shores, invite the ship to dock for a couple says of rest and relaxation.
Let Chinese sailors set port in Hawaii or Los Angeles. Let U.S. sailors set port in Shanghai or Xiamen. Just because leaders are at Cold War doesn’t mean sailors have to suffer. Be kind.