Taiwan Straits News

Navies operate on a spectrum between deterrence and defense, to include offensive operation, support of foreign policy, and power projection to civil affair and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Many have constabulary responsibilities, and it could be argued that, with the exception of the largest navies, most are more like a coast guard than a military force in their normal responsibilities.Every Navy is different. Yes, they all share similar challenges of acquisition…

A series of economic cooperation agreements have been reached by Chinese mainland and Taiwan at a recent meeting, reports Xinhua. The mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits and its counterpart in Taiwan have concluded their two day's talk in South China's Hunan city. The two have agreed open new ship routes across the strait and to symplify customs procedure for commercially efficient transportation. The meeting is aimed to boost confidence of the development of  cross-strait relations between the two countries.

Today in U.S. 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, Units of 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG-164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state.

From the Navy News Service: 1864 - Rear Adm. David Farragut's squadron captures Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay, winning control of Mobile Bay. 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, units of the 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG 164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state.   For more information on naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

1864 - RADM David Farragut's squadron captures Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay winning control of Mobile Bay 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, Units of 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG-164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state.

1864 - RADM David Farragut's squadron captures Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay winning control of Mobile Bay 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, Units of 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG-164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state. (Source: Navy News Service)

Evergreen Line's 1140-TEU Uni-Adroit set sail across the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Straits for China's northern Xingang port on December 15, 2009 opening a new era of direct ocean shipping following a ceremony at Kaohsiung harbor overseen by Taiwan's President Ma Yin-Jiu. The direct link ends a nearly 60-year suspension of such services between Taiwan and the China mainland. The new direct service was accelerated with the election and inauguration of President Ma earlier this year. The two nations signed an agreement in November to ensure the opening of trade as beneficial to both economies.

From the Navy News Service 1845 - The U.S. Naval Academy is established at , , on former site of . 1895 - Commissioning of USS Texas, the first American steel-hulled battleship. served off during the Spanish-American War and took part in the naval battle of . Under the name of , she was sunk in weapon effects tests in in 1911. Her hulk continued in use as a gunnery target through World War II. 1908 - First Navy post offices established in Navy ships. 1944 - Operation Dragoon, Allied invasion of . 1953 - First naval officer appointed Chairman, Joints Chiefs of Staff, Adm. William Radford. 1958 - USS Lexington (CVA 16) arrives in vicinity of during Taiwan Straits crisis.

1864 - Rear Adm. David Farragut's squadron captures Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay, winning control of Mobile Bay. 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, units of the 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG 164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state. For more information on naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

A ten-year development program has been drawn up to develop Xiamen, a port city in southeast China's Fujian province, into a shipbuilding base by 2015, www.ChinaView.com reported. According to the plan, a group of shipbuilding and shipyard enterprises will be built in the city, which are set to handle 100,000-tonnage vessels and other relevant services and equipments. Shipbuilding will be a key industry in Xiamen, a place on the west bank of the Taiwan Straits, which is expected to bring along development of the electro-mechanical sector, steel and tourism, said an official with the local economic development bureau. Local officials expect the city's annual shipbuilding capacity to reach 800…

From the Navy News Service 1864 - Rear Adm. David Farragut's squadron captures Fort Morgan at Mobile Bay, winning control of Mobile Bay. 1958 - Massive concentration of Pacific Fleet in Quemoy-Matsu area prevents invasion of islands by China. 1958 - In Taiwan Straits Crisis, units of the 7th Fleet move into Taiwan area to support Taiwan against Chinese Communists. 1963 - The first satellite communications ship, USNS Kingsport (T-AG 164) in Lagos, Nigeria, connected President John F. Kennedy with Nigerian Prime Minister Balewa who was aboard for the first satellite (Syncom II) relayed telephone conversation between heads of state.

China lodged a complaint with Australia after three Australian naval vessels moving through the Taiwan Straits were challenged by the Chinese navy, a spokesman for Australia's foreign affairs minister said. A Chinese navy vessel told three Australian ships moving through the straits earlier this month that they were in territorial waters. However, the Australian vessels said they were exercising their right to free navigation in accordance with the laws of the sea and continued. The spokesman for minister Alexander Downer said the Chinese had raised an official protest with Australia about the transit. "We maintain that our ships were always abiding by their rights under the law of the sea," the spokesman said.