The U.S. destroyer USS Higgins and the UK frigate HMS Richmond transited the Taiwan Straits on Friday, engaging in provocative actions. The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) deployed naval and air forces to monitor and effectively respond to the transit throughout the process, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the theater command, said on Friday.

The actions of the U.S. and the UK sent the wrong signal and undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. The theater command's forces remain on high alert at all times, firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability, said Shi.