China slams UK for publicly hyping up ship’s transit through Taiwan Strait
Spokesperson for Chinese People's Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command Navy says its troops remained on alert throughout transit
Kinmen Islands have become a focal point in rising Beijing-Taipei tensions
ANKARA
China’s military slammed the UK on Friday for publicly hyping up the transit of its offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey through the Taiwan Strait and warned that such actions are intentional "provocations," state-run media reported.
In a statement, Senior Colonel Liu Runke, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command Navy, said the Chinese military organized forces to monitor and remained on alert throughout the transit, effectively managing and responding to the situation, the Global Times reported.
"Such actions are intentional provocations that disrupt the situation and undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Liu said.
He added that Chinese troops remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely counter all "threats and provocations."
On Thursday, the UK's representative office to Taiwan, the British Office Taipei, said the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Spey sailed through the strait Wednesday for the first time in four years.
China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas Taipei insists on its independence.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid
