Another US warship sailed through Taiwan Strait despite rising tensions as China has threatened to take the country by force.

It was part of what America's military has called "routine activity" but the Chinese government believes America is trying to raise tensions further.

According to South China Morning Post, the US Navy said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a “routine Taiwan Strait transit” through international waters on Tuesday.

The Navy's statement added: “The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows."

Although there was no immediate response from officials in Beijing, local media have expressed concern over the military activity as World War 3 fears have been rising over the last few months.

Last month, the Chinese military condemned the United States and Canada for each sending a warship through area as they claimed it was "threatening the peace."

Reports claimed China and the USA are edging ever closer to a major military clash over Taiwan.

A stark warning in The Global Times, a Chinese newspaper that is seen as the voice of China’s leadership, warns that an attack on Taiwan could come “at any time,” and that US troops would be the first target.

While an uneasy peace has prevailed for the past 70 years, the Global Times says invasion is becoming an "increasingly realistic option".

Since 1949, Taiwan has described itself as an independent nation but the Chinese government maintains that the island – around half the size of Scotland – is a breakaway province.

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The Global Times editorial described President Tsai Ing-wen’s government as “separatists” and says “the mainland has the right to carry out military strikes against them at any time”.

It threatens that if the US intervenes it would face “unbearable” losses and warns: "We must make Washington understand that it is playing a dangerous game that is destined to draw fire onto itself and it is risking the lives of young US soldiers.”

The uncompromising editorial said that US special forces stationed in Taiwan amounted to an "invasion" of mainland China.

And "once a war breaks out in the Taiwan Straits, those US military personnel will be the first to be eliminated," it added.

China's President Xi Jinping has been open about his aim to bring Taiwan under Chinese rule to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, which was formed in 1921.

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