The Chinese military announced on Friday that it had dispatched a number of?naval and?air?assets in order to track and monitor the Dutch frigate, HNLMS De Ruyter as she transited the Taiwan Strait. They also said they handled the situation 'effectively.

Beijing said last week that the same frigate had illegally invaded the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea. The Netherlands claimed that the warship had been sailing through the South China Sea for economic, diplomatic and security reasons.

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation army (ETC) stated that the Dutch naval vessel's passage along the Taiwan Strait followed its activities on the Paracel Islands from May 27.

In a statement released on Friday, Xu Chenghua said that the PLA Eastern Theater Command will remain vigilant at all times and resolutely protect China's security and sovereignty, as well regional peace and stability.

The Dutch navy spokesperson could not be reached immediately for comment.

Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan's democratically-governed government, but also views the narrow, strategic strait, as Chinese territorial waters. Reporting by the Beijing Newsroom, Additional reporting in The Hague by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing and production by Louise Heavens. Tomasz Janowski.

(source: Reuters)