“US warships and aircraft are causing trouble and provocations on China’s doorstep as they conduct large-scale and regular military activities in the waters and airspace around China,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian said at a press conference in Beijing.
China's response was “reasonable, reasonable, professional and disciplined,” Wu said, adding that the Chinese military will continue to conduct regular military operations around the Taiwan Strait as a practice.
He stressed, “The American side must stop violating international law and all dangerous and provocative behavior, and strictly restrain the activities of front-line forces, which is the primary way to avoid maritime and air accidents.”
“With regard to easing tensions in the South China Sea, it is very important not to interfere or provoke the major power involved, which is the United States,” he added.
On Wednesday, the destroyer John Finn sailed through the 100-mile-wide strait that separates mainland China from Taiwan, which Beijing considers a breakaway province. Regarding the issue, the United States stated that its measures are consistent with international law that guarantees freedom of navigation. (MTI)