A defence official in Taiwan has said that China's new guided missile destroyer has passed through the Taiwan strait.

The chief of Taiwan's general staff Tang Yao-ming said that the warship would not affect the balance of power between mainland China and Taiwan.

The Russian-built warship is equipped with Surnburn anti-ship missiles.

Mainland press reports say it is heading for a naval base in China.

Defence analysts had warned that the vessel could have an impact on the ability of the United States to defend Taiwan, but American officials have been downplaying these fears. The ship's arrival comes just weeks before Taiwan's presidential elections and one Taiwanese official Lin Chung-pin has accused China of trying to put psychological pressure on the island.

China sees Taiwan as a renegade province, and has warned it will use force to regain the island if necessary.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service