WASHINGTON/BEIJING – China has been closely following a US warship's transit through the Taiwan Straits, and hopes the US side will play a constructive role for regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
The USS John S. McCain sailed through the Taiwan Straits earlier in the day, marking the US Navy's first trip through the waterway in 2021, according to a US Navy statement.
"China will continue to be on high alert, stand ready to deal with any threats and provocations, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily press briefing.
'US supports one-China policy'
The US move came after the US Department of State said on Wednesday that it supports the one-China policy.
"Our policy has not changed. It has not changed," US State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a press briefing when asked if the Biden administration supports the one-China policy
"Our policy has not changed. It has not changed," State Department spokesman Ned Price said during a press briefing when asked if the Biden administration supports the one-China policy.
"We, of course, guided by the one-China policy, correct," he added.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Jan 25 reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and said the US should abide by the one-China principle.
"We urged the US … to prudently handle Taiwan-related issues and refrain from sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces to avoid harming China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," Zhao said in a media briefing.
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"It has been colluding with external forces to engage in provocation by seeking 'independence'," Zhao said.