China opposes US over vessels transiting Taiwan Straits

The Chinese military opposes the United States flexing its military presence by sending two missile destroyers through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday, which has sent the wrong signal to Taiwan separatists and undermined peace and stability in the region, the Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday. 

On Thursday, the USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur transited through the Taiwan Straits in unison. It marked the second such mission this month. 

The People's Liberation Army had dispatched maritime and air units to monitor the entire transition, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman of the ministry, said in a statement on Thursday. 

"It is the second time the US has sailed naval vessels through the Taiwan Straits since Dec 18 to flex its muscles, and provoke and stir up trouble in the region," he said. "The passage has sent the wrong signal to Taiwan separatist forces, and has seriously undermined peace and stability in the area."

Therefore, the PLA resolutely opposes the actions by the US, and "will remain on high alert to deal with any threats and provocations at any time, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wu said.