US sails warships past Taiwan for first time since Nancy Pelosi visit as China puts forces on ‘high alert’

THE United States has sailed warships past Taiwan for the first time since Nancy Pelosi's visit as China puts its forces on "high alert".

The USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville crossed the Taiwan Strait on Sunday - the first such transit since China staged menacing military drills around the island.

The US Navy said the move "demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific".

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait soared to their highest level in years this month after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei.

Beijing reacted furiously, staging its largest-ever military drills around the island.

Those exercises included firing multiple ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan - some of the world's busiest shipping routes.

Xi Jinping's forces effectively blockaded the self-ruled island in a chilling rehearsal for an invasion.

Such a conflict could draw the US and other allies into a catastrophic battle of superpowers, experts warn.

Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the self-ruled, democratic island is part of its territory and will be seized one day - by force if necessary.

Washington diplomatically recognises Beijing over Taipei - but maintains relations with Taiwan and supports the island's right to decide its own future.

The US has reiterated support for Taiwan after China refused to rule out the use of force to seize the independent island.

The US Seventh Fleet said the two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers conducted the "routine" transit "through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law".

"These ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State," the US Navy said.

"The US military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows."

The Chinese People's Liberation Army said the US had "openly hyped up" the ships' passage through the Strait.

Spokesman Senior Colonel Shi Yi said: "The PLA Eastern Theatre Command is following and warning the US vessels throughout their entire journey, and is aware of all movements.

"Troops remain on high alert and are prepared at all times to foil any provocations."

Taiwan confirmed a pair of warships sailed from north to south through the channel.

"During their southward journey through the Taiwan Strait, the military is fully monitoring relevant movements in our surrounding sea and airspace, and the situation is normal," a spokesman said.

The US and Western allies have increased "freedom of navigation" crossings by naval vessels of both the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea to make clear the seas are international waterways.

The move has sparked anger from Beijing.

China's drills included firing multiple ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan - which was the first time Beijing has taken such a step since the mid-1990s.

Troops remain on high alert and are prepared at all times to foil any provocations

Senior Colonel Shi YiChinese People's Liberation Army

And Taiwan staged its own drills, simulating a defence against invasion and displaying its most advanced fighter jet in a rare night time demo.

As Beijing steps up pressure on Taiwan, a senior US Navy admiral said America needs to confront the Chinese “gorilla in the room”.

Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas said it’s "very important that we contest this type of thing".

"I know that the gorilla in the room is launching missiles over Taiwan," he said.

"If we just allow that to happen, and we don't contest that, that'll be the next norm.

"It's irresponsible to launch missiles over Taiwan into international waters, where the shipping lanes, where free shipping operates."

Earlier this month, stealth bombers swooped over the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular show of American air power amid fears of all-out war with China.

A warship sailed below as two B-2 Spirit nuclear strike planes flew in formation with four F/A-18 Hornet fighters and a high-tech E-7A Wedgetail "eye-in-the-sky" spy plane from Australia.

The rarely seen B-2 flying wing - designed to be virtually invisible to radar - is the world's most expensive aircraft at an estimated £1.6billion each.

The US Pacific Air Forces said the "bilateral training missions" alongside Royal Australian Air Force allies "enhance joint and multilateral readiness".

At least four detailed invasion scenarios are said to have been plotted by Xi Jinping's military planners, designed to test resolve in the US to get involved.

Experts warn China's huge army could crush US-led defences in days, and one simulation reckons the US would lose 900 planes.

However experts also say China would need two million soldiers and would face devastating losses like Russia in Ukraine.