Chinese Military: Japan's 'Ikazuchi' destroyer transited Taiwan Strait, fully monitored and alerted
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested Japan after the JS Ikazuchi destroyer transited the Taiwan Strait. The PLA stated it monitored the vessel's entire passage.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 21:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 21:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 22:40 (25h 8m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Taipei 17th) The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japan Self-Defense Force vessels entered the Taiwan Strait today, and has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese side. The PLA Eastern Theater Command reported in the evening that the Japanese destroyer "Ikazuchi" transited the Taiwan Strait from 4:02 AM to 5:50 PM, and the Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track, monitor, and stay on alert throughout the entire process.
According to a report by Japan's Kyodo News in the evening citing multiple sources familiar with Japan-China relations, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer "Ikazuchi" navigated the Taiwan Strait on the 17th. Since the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office, this is the first time a JMSDF vessel has navigated the Taiwan Strait.
Public information shows that the JMSDF "Ikazuchi" (JS Ikazuchi, hull number DD-107) is the 7th ship of the Murasame-class destroyers. It likely transited south through the Taiwan Strait today to participate in the annual Philippine-US "Balikatan" joint military exercise scheduled to begin on the 20th.
Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla stated on the 15th that 7 countries are expected to participate in the exercise this year, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
Shi Chenghua, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, pointed out that the transit of the Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi through the Taiwan Strait sent a wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces. The Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the whole process, implementing effective control and regulation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to related media questions in the afternoon, saying that the Chinese military had handled the JMSDF vessel's activities in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with laws and regulations. He stated that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan have already brought a severe shock to Sino-Japanese relations. Sending a JMSDF vessel into the Taiwan Strait is adding mistake upon mistake, exposing once again the dangerous plot of some in Japan to militarily intervene in the Taiwan Strait and disrupt peace and stability there.
He said this action severely damages the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and seriously threatens China's sovereignty and security. China firmly opposes this and has lodged strong protests with the Japanese side. (Editors: Yang Shengru / Zhang Zhixuan) 1150417
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(Central News Agency Taipei 17th) The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japan Self-Defense Force vessels entered the Taiwan Strait today, and has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese side. The PLA Eastern Theater Command reported in the evening that the Japanese destroyer "Ikazuchi" transited the Taiwan Strait from 4:02 AM to 5:50 PM, and the Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track, monitor, and stay on alert throughout the entire process.
According to a report by Japan's Kyodo News in the evening citing multiple sources familiar with Japan-China relations, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer "Ikazuchi" navigated the Taiwan Strait on the 17th. Since the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office, this is the first time a JMSDF vessel has navigated the Taiwan Strait.
Public information shows that the JMSDF "Ikazuchi" (JS Ikazuchi, hull number DD-107) is the 7th ship of the Murasame-class destroyers. It likely transited south through the Taiwan Strait today to participate in the annual Philippine-US "Balikatan" joint military exercise scheduled to begin on the 20th.
Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla stated on the 15th that 7 countries are expected to participate in the exercise this year, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, and New Zealand.
Shi Chenghua, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, pointed out that the transit of the Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi through the Taiwan Strait sent a wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces. The Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the whole process, implementing effective control and regulation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to related media questions in the afternoon, saying that the Chinese military had handled the JMSDF vessel's activities in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with laws and regulations. He stated that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan have already brought a severe shock to Sino-Japanese relations. Sending a JMSDF vessel into the Taiwan Strait is adding mistake upon mistake, exposing once again the dangerous plot of some in Japan to militarily intervene in the Taiwan Strait and disrupt peace and stability there.
He said this action severely damages the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and seriously threatens China's sovereignty and security. China firmly opposes this and has lodged strong protests with the Japanese side. (Editors: Yang Shengru / Zhang Zhixuan) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship from you is the power to guard freedom of the press.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, audio, and video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.