We sent a message back that we will not be afraid of sailing near Taiwan by steaming right up the Taiwan Strait back to Japan.
The Chinese got our message loud and clear:
"U.S. officials informed China at that time that it took the route because of a storm," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a briefing. "China expressed grave concern to the U.S. and requested the U.S. to take prudent moves in this highly sensitive area."
Objection noted and filed.