BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Eastern Theater Command of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Friday denounced the transit of the Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi through the Taiwan Strait, saying it sent wrong signals to Taiwan's secessionist forces.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command deployed naval and air assets to track and monitor the vessel throughout the process, ensuring an effective control of the situation, said Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the command, in a press release.

The command's forces will remain on high alert at all times, and resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability, Xu said. ■