BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s military said on Sunday it was monitoring U.S. Navy ships sailing through the Taiwan Strait and would remain on high alert for any provocation.

The US Navy said guided-missile cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam “crossed the Taiwan Strait” on Sunday, in accordance with international law.

Two US warships crossed the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, the US Navy said, the first such move since China carried out unprecedented military maneuvers near the island.

Two US warships sailed south through the strategic Taiwan Strait for the first time since a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, strongly condemned by China.
The USS Antietam and the USS Chancellorsville, which carry guided missiles, were on a “routine” mission in international waters, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement Sunday.
The statement added that “the transit of the two ships through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a peaceful, free and open Indian Ocean. The US military flies, tows and operates where international law allows.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said it was closely monitoring the two ships.

It is the first passage for US ships since Pelosi, who led a congressional delegation, visited Taiwan earlier this month.
The brief visit, during which Pelosi pledged solidarity with Washington, angered leaders in Beijing, who see Taiwan as a separate province from which it will join the mainland.
In response to the visit, the Chinese military conducted large-scale exercises in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph said on Friday that China’s decision to hold exercises near Taiwan was an attempt to prevent the Taiwan Strait from being used as international waters.