The Chinese military has strongly criticized the United States for sending two vessels through the Taiwan Strait this week, calling the move a deliberate provocation. Senior Colonel Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, confirmed on Saturday that U.S. warships USS John Finn and USNS Mary Sears transited the strategic waterway from January 16 to 17 under close PLA monitoring.
"The PLA Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the U.S. ships throughout their passage," Xu stated, emphasizing China's "firm opposition to such actions that undermine regional stability." Military analysts note this marks the first publicly reported U.S. transit of the Taiwan Strait in 2026.
The incident comes amid heightened cross-strait tensions, with Beijing reiterating its commitment to "resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security." The PLA spokesperson warned that Chinese forces remain "on high alert" to respond to any security challenges in the area.
