China Condemns U.S. Warships’ Passage Through Taiwan Strait
China has criticized the United States for sending two naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, calling the move a provocation that sends the wrong signals and increases regional security risks.
Senior Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), stated on Wednesday that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and the Pathfinder-class survey ship USNS Bowditch sailed through the Taiwan Strait from February 10 to 12.
“The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the ships throughout their passage and effectively responded to and dealt with the situation,” Li said.
Li emphasized that the troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command remain on high alert at all times to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also responded to the incident.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. “The Taiwan question is not about freedom of navigation but about China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Guo said. “China resolutely opposes any country’s provocations and threats to China’s sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation.”
Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated that the Taiwan question concerns China’s core interests. “We resolutely oppose and will never allow any foreign interference,” Zhu said. “China has the firm will, full confidence, and sufficient ability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
She urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, handle Taiwan-related matters with prudence, and stop sending any wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” forces.
