Two American warships sail through Taiwan Strait

This is the first such operation that happens since tensions between Taiwan and China grew after a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan earlier this month.

The U.S. and other Western navy have sailed through the strait in recent years.

China reacted to Pelosi's visit by holding military exercises in the area.

On Sunday, Taiwan's Defence Ministry says it discovered 23 Chinese planes and eight Chinese ships operating around Taiwan.

Among the detected aircraft, seven crossed the average Taiwan Strait line an unofficial obstacle between Taiwan and China.

Washington says its two rocket cruisers led by the USS Antietham and the USS Chancellersville are demonstrating freedom of navigation through international waters.

Beijing views such actions as provocative and claims that Taiwan Island is an integral part of Chinese territory.

On Sunday, her army said it was monitoring the progress of two ships, maintaining a high alert and ready to overcome any provocation.

The American Navy said in a statement it transmitted through Taiwan's Strait demonstrated “the United States' commitment to a free-peace-free and open”.

These ships passed through a corridor across the strait beyond the territorial sea of each coastal state”, the statement said.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said ships were sailing south and that its forces were watching, but that “situata was normal”

Taiwan is self-governing, but China sees it as a breakaway province it will eventually join, by force if necessary.

Taiwan has become another hot spot between Washington and Beijing in recent years, with the US walking on a tight diplomatic cord on the issue.

The US maintains policy “A China” a cornerstone of diplomatic relations of the two countries that recognise only a Chinese government and has formal ties to Beijing, not Taiwan.

But it also maintains a strong informal “relationship with the island. This includes selling weapons to Taiwan for protection.

Taiwan has its own constitution, democratic elected leaders and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces. The U.S. has no official ties to Taiwan, but there is a law urging him to provide the island's tools for protection.