BEIJING/TAIPEI – China’s military claimed on Tuesday that they had carried out a combat ready patrol towards the Taiwan Strait. This was after it condemned a U.S. congress delegation who it stated had been on a military airplane.

A Chinese military spokesperson stated that the patrol targeted “seriously incorrect” actions and words of relevant countries on Taiwan and pro-independence activities in Taiwan.

Recent cross-strait tensions have been increasing. Taiwan complained about China’s repeated air strikes near Taiwan for more than a decade.

Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that six Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern air defense zone Tuesday. This included two surveillance and four fighter planes.

Several Taiwan media outlets claimed that two unspecified U.S. senators and members of Congress arrived on Tuesday in Taipei via a U.S. military jet.

Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng Chang-chang answered reporters Wednesday when he was asked about his visit to the United States. He said that relations between Taiwan and America are very important, adding that he values “mutual visits between friendships”.

He said that the government would make an “appropriate arrangement” according to each other’s needs, but he did not elaborate.

Although the American Institute is Taiwan’s de facto embassy, it did not respond to my request immediately.

China’s defense ministry stated in a statement, that U.S. Congress members had arrived by military aircraft in Taiwan.

It stated that it strongly condemned and opposed the idea.

According to the Pentagon, it’s not common for Congress delegations in military aircraft to travel from Washington.

John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson (NYSE:), did not give details about the passengers but stated that this was the second congressional visit to Taiwan in this year’s calendar.

Kirby stated, “It is not uncommon.”

China does not rule out the possibility of using force to control Taiwan, despite Taiwan’s claims that Taiwan is an independent country and will uphold its democratic rights.

China’s defense ministry condemned a short weekend trip by three U.S. senators from the United States to Taiwan aboard a U.S. Military aircraft in June. It called it “vile provocation”, dangerous, and irresponsible.