China Says U.S. Destroyer John Finn and Survey Ship Transited Taiwan Strait

Overview

• The transit occurred on January 16–17, according to a spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theater Command.
• The PLA said it deployed naval and air assets to monitor the entire passage and described its response as having 'effectively dealt with' the ships.
• Jiji Press reported the destroyer as the USS John Finn and noted the presence of a U.S. ocean survey vessel.
• Kyodo News distributed the statement, which was republished by Nishinippon Shimbun and Hokkaido Shimbun as paywalled articles.
• The provided coverage did not include a U.S. military account and situated the event within ongoing cross-strait security reporting.