According to CCTV, China's state broadcaster on Tuesday, the Chinese military has organised air and naval forces to monitor navigation operations by a U.S. oceanographic survey vessel and destroyer crossing the Taiwan Strait between February 10-12.

Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre of the Chinese military, said that the United States' behavior sends the wrong signals and increases the security risks.

Li stated that "troops on the theater are always alert and resolutely defending national security and sovereignty as well as regional stability and peace,"

The U.S. Navy didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment about the vessel’s transit.

This would be the first time the U.S. has attempted to cross the politically sensitive Strait since Donald Trump assumed office in the last month. Reporting by Liz Lee and Urvi dugar in Beijing; additional reporting from Ben Blanchard in Taipei. Editing by Lincoln Feast.

(source: Reuters)