The Chinese military has been put on alert after US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait

BEIJING, Aug.28, (ST)-China has slammed the US Navy’s navigation missions in the Taiwan Strait as provocations.

The Chinese military has been put on alert after US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, Shi Yi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said in a statement on Sunday, Sputnik reported.

He said that the US Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam sailed through the Taiwan Strait on August 28th, getting everyone’s attention.

“Units of the PLA Eastern Combat Command escorted the US cruisers, exercising full control over their activities. The command units remain on heightened alert to stop any provocations in a timely manner,” the statement pointed out.

Two US Navy warships entered the Taiwan Strait, 3 US officials told Reuters. This is the first such operation since heightened tension with China over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

“The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, on Saturday said US Navy cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam were carrying out the operation which was still underway. Such operations usually take between eight and 12 hours to complete and are closely monitored by the Chinese military,” according to TASS.

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour