The People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said it deployed naval and air forces to monitor the vessel during its passage through the strategically sensitive waterway.

The statement followed China’s accusation last week that the same Dutch warship had illegally entered waters near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The Netherlands rejected the claim, saying the vessel was operating in accordance with international law during a deployment focused on diplomatic, security and economic interests.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and regards the Taiwan Strait as part of its territorial waters, a position disputed by many Western governments, which view the waterway as an international passage.

The Dutch navy did not immediately comment on China’s latest statement.The transit highlights continuing tensions over freedom of navigation and competing territorial claims in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

The Japanese destroyer sailed through the strait from early morning to late afternoon, according to a statement by a Chinese military spokesperson, who said naval and air forces were deployed to observe the vessel throughout its passage.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces declined to comment on the transit. The passage comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions over Taiwan, which claims as its territory despite opposition from ’s government.

Beijing considers the Taiwan issue a core national interest and frequently characterizes it as a “red line” in diplomatic relations. It also asserts sovereignty over the strait, a key international shipping route, and has responded strongly to foreign naval movements in the area.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said at a press briefing that the transit represented a “display of force” and accused Japan of compounding earlier tensions with what he described as “mistakes upon mistakes.” He added that China had lodged formal diplomatic protests with Tokyo.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated in recent months, particularly after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister suggesting that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response.

China’s military had previously tracked a foreign naval transit through the strait in February, when an Australian warship sailed the same route, according to state-backed media reports. The latest incident underscores persistent friction over freedom of navigation and sovereignty claims in one of Asia’s most strategically sensitive waterways.