China has condemned the United States for causing "trouble and provocation" after the US Navy sailed its first warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. The passage occurred in the wake of Taiwan's recent presidential and parliamentary elections. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry, stated that US warships and aircraft have engaged in "trouble and provocation on China's doorstep," with large-scale and high-frequency activities in the waters and airspace surrounding China.

Wu emphasized that China's response in driving away the US warship was justified, professional, and restrained. He added that China's military will continue to conduct relevant operations around the Taiwan Strait as part of its training. In response to questions about potential meetings between Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun and his US counterpart, Wu expressed China's openness to bilateral dialogues at all levels, without confirming any specific meeting.

The Chinese and US militaries recently held talks in Washington, after resuming high-level military contact last autumn, as Pentagon officials stressed the importance of communication between the two militaries to prevent miscalculations from escalating into conflict. Meanwhile, China accused the Philippines of violating its sovereignty and engaging in provocations in the South China Sea through plans to reinforce construction in the contested Spratly Islands, allegedly in collusion with external powers.

On the issue of the India-China border dispute, Wu described it as an historical matter and cautioned against linking the issue to broader bilateral relations. He also addressed reports that Chinese-made weaponry was used by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, denying any Chinese involvement in the Middle East conflict. The US Navy defended the transit of the destroyer USS John Finn through the Taiwan Strait, asserting that it took place beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. This recent passage has added to the tensions between the United States and China, particularly regarding their respective military activities in the region.

Taiwan, for its part, asserts that only the island's people can determine their future. The situation remains a point of contention and potential conflict as the incoming leader of Taiwan, President-elect William Lai, is set to be inaugurated in May. Analysts have predicted that China will continue to conduct frequent military drills in the run-up to the inauguration. Given these developments, the potential for further escalation in tensions between the US and China remains a concern for regional stability.