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A Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force vessel sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time on September 25, 2024, according to Japanese media. The Japanese destroyer Sazanami “conducted the transit” in the company of naval vessels from Australia and New Zealand. They passed through the narrow waterway between mainland China and the island of Taiwan, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency. The vessels were believed to be heading to the South China Sea for exercises. The transit occurred about a week after Tokyo lodged a protest with Beijing over a new route taken by the Chinese navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers on their way to the Pacific Ocean. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing has lodged “stern representations” with Japan about the Taiwan Strait transit and is closely monitoring developments.
Source : AFP
