Japan's Self-Defense Forces Ship Sails Crossing Taiwan Strait Triggers China's Anger

ILLUSTRATION/: Xiamen Island China/PHOTO BreakdownDiode via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - The Japanese Self-Defense Forces Ship (JSDF) sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in a historic move that angered Beijing.

This event marks the latest dispute between neighboring countries that accuse each other of increasing tensions in the region.

Japanese newspaper Yomiuri reported the destroyer SDF Sazanami entered the Taiwan Strait from the East China Sea on Wednesday, September 25.

The transit was carried out together with naval vessels from Australia and New Zealand, the newspaper said, citing various government sources reported by Reuters on Thursday, September 26.

The third Navy of the country is scheduled to hold joint exercises in the South China Sea starting today.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to comment on the report, and expressed concern about China's increased military activity in the region.

"We feel a strong crisis that airspace violations have occurred one by one in a short period of time," he said at a press conference.

"We will continue to monitor the situation with great attention," he added.

Japan has responded to China's increased military activity by building a defense that it says aims to deter Beijing from using military force to enforce its territorial claims in the region.

Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized the article and said it was against a common understanding of China's first principles.

"The Chinese side is wary of the political intentions of the Japanese side and has submitted a serious statement," he said.

"We urge the Japanese to respect their commitment to Taiwan issues, be careful in words and actions, and refrain from obstructing China-Japan relations and peace in the Taiwan Strait," he continued.

Yomiuri Daily said Japanese SDFs have so far avoided sailing through these waters so as not to anger Beijing, which says only those who exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over the strait. Meanwhile, China claims democratic Taiwan as its own.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense on Thursday increased vigilance over a new wave of Chinese military activity around the island and direct fire drills. The Taiwanese government rejects China's claim to sovereignty.