Two U.S. Navy ships passed through the Taiwan Strait today for the fourth time in recent months, in a move that is allowed under international law but usually provokes a negative reaction from China.

“USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Feb. 25 (local time), in accordance with international law. The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman said in a statement to USNI News.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship paired up for what was the fourth strait passage in five months. USS McCampbell (DDG-85) and oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193) steamed through the 110-mile-wide body of water separating Taiwan from mainland China in January; USS Stockdale (DDG-106) and USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) conducted a Taiwan Strait transit in November; and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) conducted a strait transit in October.