China has protested after two US Navy warships sailed though the Taiwan Strait, Trend reports referring to South China Morning Post.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily press conference on Tuesday that “We resolutely oppose the United States taking provocative actions”.
Lu said those actions were“not conducive to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and US-China relations”.
The Taiwan defence ministry said on Tuesday that it had closely monitored the ships’ passage through the waters.
The ministry said in a statement that the two vessels had sailed through the strait on Monday and left on Tuesday morning.
Taiwan’s military was fully aware of the passage of the US vessels, and is capable of defending its maritime territory and airspace security, the statement said.
The operation is likely to be viewed as a show of support to the self-ruled island from US President Donald Trump’s administration.
It also came a day after Trump announced he would halt tariff rises on US$200 billion worth of Chinese exports to the US, which had been expected to take effect from March 2.
Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington cut off all military ties with Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province to be taken back by force if necessary.
China has protested after two US Navy warships sailed though the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily press conference on Tuesday that “We resolutely oppose the United States taking provocative actions”.
Lu said those actions were“not conducive to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and US-China relations”.
The Taiwan defence ministry said on Tuesday that it had closely monitored the ships’ passage through the waters.
The ministry said in a statement that the two vessels had sailed through the strait on Monday and left on Tuesday morning.
Taiwan’s military was fully aware of the passage of the US vessels, and is capable of defending its maritime territory and airspace security, the statement said.
The operation is likely to be viewed as a show of support to the self-ruled island from US President Donald Trump’s administration.
It also came a day after Trump announced he would halt tariff rises on US$200 billion worth of Chinese exports to the US, which had been expected to take effect from March 2.
Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington cut off all military ties with Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a breakaway province to be taken back by force if necessary.
US Pacific Fleet made the operation public in a statement overnight, saying “the ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait shows the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
The two ships were the destroyer Stethem and navy cargo and ammunition ship Cesar Chavez, the US statement added.
Washington has increased its support to the island in the lead-up to this year’s 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, the US Congress’ legislation defining unofficial relations with Taiwan after it switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
The US has no formal ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to help defend the island and is its main source of arms. Washington has sold Taiwan more than US$15 billion of weaponry since 2010, according to the US defence department.
The passage follows a similar operation conducted in late January in a sign of US Navy’s increasing presence in the strategic waterway.
The United States conducted three such operations through the strait last year, while China has repeatedly sent military aircraft and warships to circle the island on drills and has also worked to peel away the island’s last diplomatic allies.
Supporters of Taiwan in the US Congress have also stepped up their efforts to pass legislation that favours the island.
One proposal before the house would mark the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, and the other supports a US-Taiwan free trade agreement.
In late January, the House of Representatives passed a Bill, sponsored by Republican Congressman Ted Yoho, supporting Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Organisation.
The Bill is now awaiting a vote by the Senate.
Cory Gardner, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Asia subcommittee, also plans to reintroduce the Taipei Act, which aims to discourage Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies from switching their allegiance to Beijing.
It was initially tabled in 2018 when El Salvador became the third country to switch to Beijing in the space of a year.
Latest
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of featherweight main card bout between fighters from Tajikistan and Austria determined (PHOTO)
-
Kazakhstan reveals key destinations for overseas money transfers in April 2025
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of welterweight preliminary bout between fighters from Wales and South Korea determined (PHOTO)
-
Iran ready for dialogue on nuclear program - Pezeshkian
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of middleweight preliminary bout between fighters from Morocco and South Korea determined (PHOTO)
-
Azerbaijani BSE ranks leading investment firms' turnover for 5M2025
-
Azerbaijan, Indonesia discuss current issues on agenda of cooperation (PHOTO)
-
Expanding geography of tensions in the Middle East is a concern - Azerbaijani FM
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of women’s featherweight preliminary bout between fighters from England and Russia determined (PHOTO)
-
Kazakhstan strengthens flour exports via Middle Corridor to global markets
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of women’s featherweight preliminary bout between fighters from Russia and Poland determined (PHOTO)
-
Next trial date for persons accused of many crimes against Azerbaijani people announced
-
Iran tallies wheat purchases under guarantee program
-
Azerbaijan ready to participate in restoring Syria – FM
-
Armenia fails to fulfill obligation to ensure unimpeded connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan – FM (PHOTO)
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of flyweight preliminary bout between fighters from Russia and Kazakhstan determined (PHOTO)
-
Turkmenistan’s banks see steady growth in card issuance
-
UFC Fight Night: winner of heavyweight preliminary bout between Hamdy Abdelwahab and Mohammed Usman determined (PHOTO)
-
Azerbaijan updates illegal settlement facts in formerly Armenian-occupied areas (PHOTO)
-
Harvest progresses rapidly in autumn croplands across Azerbaijan
-
Azerbaijani, Syrian FMs delve into current situation in Middle East (PHOTO)
-
Slovenian army undergoes largest modernization since 2022 (PHOTO)
-
One of year’s most anticipated UFC Fight Nights kicks off in Azerbaijan's Baku (PHOTO/LIVE)
-
Azerbaijan spills beans on its railway freight traffic over several years
-
Azerbaijan boosts meat exports and production amid reduced imports in 5M2025
-
Iran reveals fiscal allocations to tea cultivators in initial quarter of year
-
Azerbaijan calls on enhanced cooperation with Malaysia via ASEAN (PHOTO)
-
Grand Duke of Luxembourg sends congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev
-
Iraq's president congratulates President Ilham Aliyev
-
UK expands crude oil purchases from Azerbaijan in 5M2025
-
Turkish president, Iranian FM discuss latest regional developments
-
Azerbaijan, UAE see notable surge in bidirectional remittances in 1Q2025
-
Azerbaijan set to take over reins of OIC chairmanship in 2026
-
Azerbaijan expresses concern with military operations against Iran
-
Azerbaijan spotlights Armenia's failure to provide free connection with Nakhchivan (PHOTO)
-
Spain boosts investments in Azerbaijani economy by margin in 1Q2025
-
Uzbekistan’s real estate market experiences significant uptick
-
Moldovan ambassador records great progress in Azerbaijani Karabakh's infrastructure dev't
-
Uzbekistan, China Eximbank expand cooperation with new strategic agreement
-
Kazakhstan reveals volume of international money transfers in April 2025
-
Uzbekistan reveals growing role of limited liability companies
-
Kyrgyzstan, Organization of Turkic States hold talks on key issues
-
IAEA confirms Israeli strike on third Iranian nuclear facility
-
Kazakhstan sees surge in international money transfers in April 2025
-
Transport market in Uzbekistan sees significant growth from small enterprises
-
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan’s Khatlon plan to expand interregional cooperation
-
Montenegro seeks UK support in modernizing justice system
-
Gazprombank, Kyrgyzstan discuss application of contract banking support mechanism
-
Russia invites Kazakh IT firms to special economic zone in St. Petersburg amid expanding co-op
-
Latvia seeks special EU clause to strengthen defense investment
-
Turkmenistan advances global peace dialogue at UN Geneva Neutrality Forum
-
President Ilham Aliyev’s address on Islamophobia circulated as official UN document
-
Turkmenistan boosts POS terminal coverage in key regions
-
Armenian detainee in Azerbaijan confirms his membership in “Hayastan” Fund
-
Islamic Development Bank issues new Sukuk to support global development
-
Israel launches new airstrikes on military targets in southwestern Iran
-
Gymnastics unites generations: Baku preparing for Challenge Tournament (PHOTO)
-
Azerbaijani court confirms illegal resettlement in former Armenian-occupied territories
-
French President vows to accelerate talks with Iran
-
Azerbaijan's marketable gas production snowballs over past several years
-
South Korean elementary school hosts Azerbaijan Day cultural event (PHOTO)
-
Italy evacuates more citizens from Iran via Azerbaijan
-
Uzbekistan launches new wind power plant backed by ACWA Power
-
Azerbaijani and Jordanian FMs brainstorm enhancement of bilateral relations
-
Azerbaijan observes sharp decline in housing construction in recent years
-
Iran tallies its casualties from Israeli attacks
-
Azerbaijani and Uzbek foreign ministers parley regional developments
-
Israel's IDF spotlights count of neutralized UAVs from Iran
-
IMF Executive Board weighs Uzbekistan’s economic outlook, calls for continued reforms
-
President Ilham Aliyev awards group of civil servants - decree
-
Azerbaijan dismisses head of its Gakh Executive Power - decree
-
Qatar Free Zone unveils strategy to expand business links with Turkmenistan
-
Kazakhstan sees FDI outflow amid global liquidity shifts
-
Yelo Bank hosts the 3rd "Mastercard Tech Conference" (PHOTO)
-
KazMunayGas plans to hike transit volume of Kazakh oil via Aktau-Baku-Ceyhan route in 2025
-
Visit of foreign diplomats in Azerbaijan to its East Zangezur and Karabakh starts at Lachin airport and wraps up at Aghdam railway station (PHOTO)
-
UNEC launches “Applicant Month”
-
Serbia evacuates tens of nationals from Israel via special flight (VIDEO)
-
Iran rolling up its sleeves to get back in saddle with global internet access
-
Electronic healthcare services become more accessible with "SİMA İmza"
-
Iran reveals casualties among IRGC members in its East Azerbaijan Province
-
Acting deputy chief of US mission to Azerbaijan visits Astara border checkpoint
-
Kazakhstan’s National Bank advances digital financial setup with slew of new projects
-
Azerbaijan impresses EU ambassador with restoration efforts in its Karabakh
-
Azerbaijan expanding powers of its Nakhchivan's Cabinet of Ministers
-
Azerbaijan rolling out new regulations on electricity production
-
Jordan's ambassador to Azerbaijan lauds rapid growth of Shusha and government achievements
-
Kyrgyzstan, OPEC Fund sign framework partnership agreement
-
Azerbaijan leaves names of Moscow and Kars accords out of constitution of its Nakhchivan
-
Uzbekistan, Singapore explore new avenues for trade and investment expansion
-
Bulgarian MFA warns against travel to 10 countries
-
Fitch highlights KazTransOil’s solid financial position and stable outlook
-
French Ambassador impressed by restoration work in Azerbaijan's Shusha
-
SOCAR establishes corporate partnership with Chartered Quality Institute
-
Kazakhstan announces strong grain reserves, ensures market stability for 2025
-
Libyan ambassador praises reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan's Shusha, Lachin cities
-
Turkmenistan reports strong FDI inflow in 2024
-
IMF forecasts steady economic growth and stable reserves for Uzbekistan
-
Azerbaijani Parliament ratifies visa-free agreement with North Macedonia
-
Turkmenistan eyes to sign new framework agreement with IAEA for 2025-29
-
Kazakhstan, EBRD to enhance co-op on critical minerals and sustainable infrastructure
-
Russian president defends Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear dev't
-
Bosnian and French military leaders discuss Western Balkans security (PHOTO)
-
Israel neutralizes Iranian commander responsible for foreign arms transfers - IDF
-
Turkmenistan to launch tender for high-capacity fertilizer plant
-
Europe’s LNG imports surge in May amid lower pipeline flows
-
Lending activity expands sharply across Iranian banking sector
-
Industrial flow of oil/gas condensate discovered at Turkmenistan’s Goturdepe field
-
Lithuania picks embraer C-390 as next military transport aircraft
-
Uzatom, Rosatom sign MoU to develop radiation processing centers in Uzbekistan
-
Kazakhstan unveils massive multi-billion dollar industrial zone in Akmola
-
EU pipeline gas imports fall in May, Norway remains key supplier - GECF
-
Eni, AICS to cooperate on community projects in Mozambique
-
ASCO reports strong solar output at Bibiheybat Yard
-
Uzbekneftegaz, China Exim Bank sign landmark cooperation agreement
-
Israeli airstrikes in Western Iran leave several IRGC personnel dead
-
Azerbaijan's Central Bank explores partnership with Japan’s Printing Bureau (PHOTO)
-
Israel neutralizes head of Iranian Palestinian division in airstrike - minister
-
European gas production declines for sixth straight month
-
Greece unveils strategic diaspora plan across U.S.
-
Israel eliminates brigade commander behind Iranian drone attacks - IDF
-
EU natural gas demand rebounds in May amid cooler weather - GECF report
-
Earthquake strikes Northern Türkiye
-
Fitch assigns 'BB-' rating to Turkmenistan’s Vnesheconombank, citing strong reserves
-
Azerbaijani oil falls in price
-
Latvia, Germany vow stronger defense cooperation ahead of NATO Summit
-
Elchin Amirbayov holds talks in Ireland on Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization (PHOTO)
-
Albania’s heritage institutions see double-digit growth in 2024
-
Diplomatic corps get acquainted with Azerbaijan's Shusha city (PHOTO/VIDEO) (UPDATE)
-
KazMunayGas reports strong growth in hydrocarbon processing and light fuel output in 2024
-
Azerbaijani currency rates for June 21
-
Israel downs Iranian drone over Golan Heights
-
EBRD to assist Azerbaijan with implementation of National Hydrogen Strategy
-
Monthly dynamics of TAP gas deliveries in 2025
-
Retail and wholesale trade in Kazakhstan grow significantly in early 2025
-
Azerbaijan sees decline in nation's balance of payments reserve assets for 1Q2025
-
Baku metro extends hours for "UFC Fight Night" at Crystal Hall
-
Real incomes fall in Kazakhstan despite growth in nominal earnings
-
Iran warns of retaliation against U.S. forces if Washington joins Israeli military operations - FM Araghchi
-
Azerbaijan's spending on air cargo import surges in 5M2025
-
Israel launches new wave of airstrikes on Iranian missile infrastructure
-
Israel reports new missile strike from Iran
-
Azerbaijan tallies import of electric vehicles in 5M2025
-
Trump gives Iran two weeks to resolve nuclear crisis diplomatically
-
Azerbaijan sees growth in railway cargo volume transportation over 5M2025
-
Kyrgyzstan reports surge in QR code transactions in 1Q2025
-
Iranian FM to Visit Moscow
-
Israeli Air Force launches new wave of strikes on Iran
-
Azerbaijan's maritime freight traffic jacks up in 5M2025
-
Iran activates air defense systems in Mashhad and Tabriz
-
Trump ready to support ceasefire between Israel and Iran
-
Court hears evidence of Armenian intent to annex formerly occupied Azerbaijani territories (PHOTO)
-
Iran ready to continue consultations with "European three"
-
Iran and "European three" agree to maintain diplomatic dialogue
-
Azerbaijan evaluates its mutual transport service turnover in 1Q2025
-
Earthquake strikes northern Iran
-
Turkiye uses diplomatic efforts for stability in South Caucasus - Recep Tayyip Erdogan
-
Kazakhstan plans to boost oil supplies to Germany
-
Iran urges IAEA to take action on attacks against nuclear facilities
-
UNDP and EU back Montenegro’s push for real gender equality