China Labels Japanese JMSDF Warship Transit of Taiwan Strait a 'Provocation'

China's military condemned the passage of Japan's JMSDF destroyer Ikazuchi through the Taiwan Strait — transiting from 4:02 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. local time — calling it 'a deliberate provocation' that threatened regional peace. This was the first Japanese destroyer transit since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office. The vessel subsequently headed to the South China Sea to participate in US-Philippines Balikatan joint exercises. The transit marks a broadening of freedom-of-navigation operations in the strait beyond US-led missions to include Japanese naval forces.