China criticised Japan for sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just days after Tokyo announced its troops would join a major US-Philippine military drill for the first time.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the entry of a Japanese Self-Defence Force vessel into the strait was a “deliberate provocation.” He added that Beijing had lodged a “strong protest” with Tokyo.

“The Chinese military has dealt with this incident in accordance with regulations,” Guo said.

“[The incident] once again exposes the dangerous plot of some people in Japan to intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait and undermine peace and stability there.”

Tokyo has not yet responded to Beijing’s protest.

The Chinese military later identified the warship as the Ikazuchi, a destroyer that Japan had said previously would join the military drill.