The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command has confirmed comprehensive surveillance operations targeting two United States naval vessels during their recent transit through the Taiwan Strait. The movement occurred between Friday and Saturday, involving the guided-missile destroyer USS Finn and oceanographic survey ship USNS Mary Sears.
Senior Colonel Xu Chenghua, official spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, issued a formal statement detailing the military response. According to Colonel Xu, Chinese naval and air forces maintained continuous monitoring throughout the strait passage, implementing appropriate measures to manage the situation effectively.
The spokesperson emphasized the command’s persistent state of high alertness, stating that PLA troops remain prepared to defend national sovereignty and security interests. The statement further underscored China’s commitment to preserving regional peace and stability, characterizing the military response as both measured and resolute.
This latest incident represents another chapter in the ongoing strategic interactions between Chinese and American forces in the Taiwan Strait, a waterway that China considers part of its territorial sovereignty despite international navigation claims. The PLA’s public disclosure of its monitoring operations follows established patterns of transparency regarding foreign military activities near Chinese territory.