US 'provokes' China by sending warships through Taiwan Strait
The Chinese People's Liberation Army strongly protested the passage of a US warship through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, December 31, and pledged to defend the country's national sovereignty.
That is the statement of Mr. Wu Qian, official representative of the Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China, posted on the Ministry's page on the social network WeChat.
China is ready to respond to threats from the US.
"By such a move, the United States is trying to show off its military power. We strongly oppose it. The Chinese People's Liberation Army is determined to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China," Mr. Ngo emphasized.
The spokesman noted that the Chinese military is on high alert and "can strike back at any threat at any time."
On Thursday, according to a report on RTHK (Hong Kong) radio citing the press service of the US 7th Fleet, two guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur and USS John S. McCain passed through the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China.
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| US warship. Photo: US Navy |
As made clear by the US side, the trip through this maritime area is in accordance with international law, "demonstratingUS commitment to the Indo-Pacific regionfree and open".
This is the second time in the past two weeks that a US warship has appeared in the strait and the 13th time this year.
New weapons transfer to Taiwan
On October 22, the United States approved a new $1.8 billion arms sale to Taiwan. According to Pentagon data, the deal includes three weapons systems, including missile launchers, detection sensors and artillery. China later announced that it would impose sanctions on three American companies for their participation in the arms sale.
