Photo taken on April 6, 2018 shows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, capital of China. (LI HE/XINHUA)

BEIJING - China on Thursday expressed strong opposition to US destroyers' sailing through the Taiwan Straits, urging the United States to play a constructive role in ensuring regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite.

Two US destroyers, USS John S. McCain and USS Curtis Wilbur, sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday morning.

In response, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent naval and air forces to track and monitor the warships throughout the process.

The move by the US warships ... seriously endangered peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Wu Qian, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, China

"China has been closely following the US warships' entire journey through the Taiwan Strait," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily press briefing.

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Recently, the US warships have repeatedly made shows of force and stirred provocations in the Taiwan Straits, sending a wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan and seriously undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, he said.

"China will continue to be on high alert, stand ready to deal with all threats and provocations, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wang said.  

This undated photo shows Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, briefing the press in Beijing. (PHOTO / MOD.GOV.CN)

A Chinese military spokesperson expressed similar sentiment on Thursday, voicing resolute opposition to the passage of the two US warships through the Taiwan Straits.

READ MORE: China blasts 'provocative actions' by US

"The move by the US warships has sent a wrong signal to separatist elements advocating 'Taiwan independence' and seriously endangered peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," said Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense.

This was another act of flexing muscles and provocation by the US destroyers after a US warship sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Dec 18, Wu said.

"The PLA will always be on high alert and ready to deal with all threats and provocations to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wu said.