China is protesting after a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship transited the Taiwan Strait.
On the 18th, the social media (SNS) account Yu Yuantan Tian run by China Central Television (CCTV) released a 24-second video, saying the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army tracked and monitored the Japanese warship throughout the entire process.
The video shows the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ikazuchi, hull number 107, and the Chinese side said anti-ship missiles were also seen mounted.
The Chinese military said the warship transited the Taiwan Strait from 4:02 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. on the 17th.
The Chinese side said, "Revealing the specific movement times down to the minute is itself a message," adding, "It shows that we have an accurate grasp of developments in the waters and airspace near the Taiwan Strait and that theater troops maintain a constant state of heightened vigilance."
In particular, the Ministry of National Defense used the phrase "effective surveillance and control" in relation to this matter. "Kan" means looking down from a high place, and "zhi" means comprehensive control and deterrence. It is seen as highlighting that the Chinese military has a grip on the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
Strong diplomatic language was also used. Another SNS account run by the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Jun Zhengping, warned, "China has an expression, 'xuan ya le ma,' meaning to pull the reins at the edge of a cliff," adding, "Japan should accurately recognize the situation, act prudently, and stop taking risks on the Taiwan issue."
"Xuan ya le ma" means coming to one's senses only after reaching a dangerous situation, an expression China uses when sending a strong warning to another country.
The Chinese side also warned, "If you stubbornly persist to the end and do not correct your mistakes, you will eventually be burned by the fire you set ('yin huo shao shen')."