BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) — China’s Ministry of National Defense mentioned on Friday that China has lodged a robust protest with Japan after the Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi transited the Taiwan Strait, calling the transfer “a deliberate provocation.”
Responding to a media question, Zhang Xiaogang, the ministry’s spokesperson, mentioned the Japanese vessel’s passage despatched a unsuitable sign to secessionist forces in Taiwan, and would solely provoke stronger opposition from the Chinese individuals and reinforce the nation’s resolve to counter provocations.
“We urge the Japanese side to return to the right path, strictly abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan,” Zhang mentioned.
He added that the Chinese navy stays on excessive alert and can take agency measures to counter any exterior interference.
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) earlier the identical day additionally denounced the transit of the Japanese destroyer.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command deployed naval and air belongings to trace and monitor the vessel all through the method, making certain efficient management of the state of affairs, mentioned Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the command, in a press launch.
The command’s forces will stay on excessive alert always, and resolutely safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and safety, in addition to regional peace and stability, Xu famous.