• China accused Berlin of heightening security risks in the Taiwan Strait, a day after two German vessels sailed through the sensitive waters through the Taiwan Strait in 22 years.

• US military ships as well as those operated by other countries have often sailed through the sensitive waterway.

• Beijing views Taiwan as a renegade province and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the island from the Chinese mainland.

• Germany and many other countries argue such voyages are usual, citing freedom of navigation.

Key facts about Taiwan Strait:

• Alternate Name: Formosa Strait. 

• Location: The Taiwan Strait separates the island of Taiwan from continental Asia. 

• Width: Approximately 180 kilometers at its widest point. The narrowest part is about 130 kilometers wide.

• Depth: Approximately 230 feet (70 meters).

• Geographical Extent: The strait extends from the southwest to the northeast between the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

• Pescadores Islands: Located within the strait, these islands are controlled by Taiwan. 

• Main Ports: Amoy (Xiamen), Located on the mainland China side and Kao-hsiung, Located on the Taiwan side. 

Median Line of the Taiwan Strait

• Informal Dividing Line: The median line is an informal demarcation in the Taiwan Strait, separating the Chinese mainland from Taiwan.

• Origin: The line emerged during the Cold War as a means to delineate the two opposing sides and mitigate the risk of military clashes. 

• Status: There is no formal agreement or treaty that solidifies the median line’s status, but it has been used for decades to help keep Taiwan and China’s militaries apart. 

• Strategic Importance: The median line has played a role in managing tensions and preventing direct military confrontations across the strait.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)