The Japanese destroyer Sazanami passed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time on Wednesday, marking a significant move amid rising tensions with China, which opposes foreign warships in the area.

The transit, ahead of multinational naval drills, aligns Japan with the U.S. and its allies in asserting that the strait is international waters with freedom of navigation.

Japan’s action reflects its growing military assertiveness in response to China’s increasing activities in the region, ABC News has reported.

This comes as Prime Minister Kishida nears the end of his term and the U.N. General Assembly discusses Indo-Pacific security.

Written by B.C. Begley