BEIJING, China: The Chinese military spokesman has said that the U.S. destroyer Ralph Johnson’s traveling through the Taiwan Strait on 17th March was “provocative” and sent the wrong signals to pro-Taiwan independence forces.
In a statement, the military spokesperson said such the sailing was “very dangerous,” adding that the Chinese were monitoring the Ralph Johnson’s passage.
China stressed that Taiwan is the most sensitive and important issue in its relations with the U.S.
While Washington is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, it has no formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told U.S. President Joe Biden that the Taiwan issue needs to be handled properly to avoid negative effects on Sino-US relations.
