China reacts sharply as US warships pass through Taiwan Strait

Beijing: China has reacted sharply after the United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait amid heightening bilateral tensions.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Friday urged the US to abide by its “one China” principle.
She said Beijing had closely monitored the U.S. ships through the waters, and had “expressed concern” to the U.S. side, China considers Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.
The guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S. Diehl “conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit” on Thursday that was “in accordance with international law,” US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told CNN.
“The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” Gorman added.