Washington [USA], Jul 9 (ANI): Two United States Navy destroyers have sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

A United States Navy official confirmed to CNN that the warships- the USS Mustin and USS Benfold are the first American ones to pass through the strait since July 2017.

The move comes amid the tension between the Washington and Beijing over the trade tariffs and North Korea issue.

Though, the passage of the ship was called "a routine transit" by Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. Charlie Brown.

Beijing lay its claim on Taiwan, which is a self-governed, democratic island and views it as a breakaway province.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the end of the Chinese Civil War.

The Beijing's communist government considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland.

In spite of all these issues, Taiwan is an important ally of the US in the region. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)