The Taiwan Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that a French naval vessel had passed through the Taiwan Strait. This was the latest Western country to make a trip through this strategic waterway.

Around once a year, the U.S. Navy, sometimes accompanied by ships of allied nations, transits this strait. China, who claims Taiwan as part of its territory and staged wargames around the island in the first week of this month, says that the strait is also theirs.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said that the unidentified French ship entered the Strait of Taiwan on Monday evening and headed north.

The ministry noted that Taiwan's military was monitoring the vessel and said the situation is "normal". The ministry did not provide any further details.

The French government did not respond immediately.

The French Navy has transited this strait before, including last season. In September, two German navy ships passed through the strait.

China's recent wargames were described as a warning against "separatist actions". Taiwan and the U.S. government condemned the exercises.

China claims to be the only country with jurisdiction over a waterway measuring nearly 180 km (110 mi) in width, which is an important passageway for international commerce.

Taiwan Strait, according to the United States and Taiwan who reject Beijing's claims of sovereignty, is an international waterway. (Reporting and editing by Ben Blanchard)

(source: Reuters)