China on Alert as U.S. Ships Pass Near Taiwan—'Ready to Thwart Provocation'

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China said it was on high alert as the U.S. Navy sailed two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday.

The move comes after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan earlier in August heightened tensions with Beijing, which responded by stepping up military exercises in the strait and the waters surrounding Taiwan.

The USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville are conducting a "routine transit" through waters where "high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law," the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement.

"These ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State," the statement said.

"The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows."

China said it was tracking the movement of the ships.

Xijin wrote in a tweet: "It's no longer a deterrent but only reminds us the U.S. is a very unfriendly force and we should give up illusion. The resolution of Taiwan question should speed up to eliminate a leverage of external forces in undermining China's rise."

Taiwan's defense ministry said its forces were observing the U.S. ships, which were sailing in a southerly direction, according to Sky News. "The situation was as normal," the ministry said.

Taiwan has maintained a separate government from China since 1949, but China views the island as part of its territory. It considers visits to Taiwan by foreign officials as recognition of the island's sovereignty.

The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as independent under its "one China" policy but has pledged to help the island protect itself against any aggression.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, met with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, in the second visit by members of Congress since Pelosi's trip.

In remarks following the meeting, Tsai referenced China's "prolonged military exercises" following Pelosi's visit as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"These developments demonstrate how authoritarian countries are disrupting and threatening the world order," she said.

"That is exactly why democracies must further unite and cooperate in jointly holding a firm line of defense of our values of freedom and democracy."