US ships sail Taiwan Strait

TAIWAN’S defence ministry says two US warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait, in a move likely to spark protests from Beijing.

The ministry said the ships made the passage on Sunday.

Beijing frequently objects to such voyages based on its claim to Taiwan as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary.

China last week protested to France after a French warship entered Chinese waters in the Taiwan Strait, and blamed British naval activity in the South China Sea for a downturn in relations.