Early Thursday, a US Navy patrol plane passed through the disputed Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, several days of Chinese military exercises were conducted south of Taiwan. The passage of the US military through this narrow waterway means tension with China because Beijing considers the sovereignty of the island’s lands as one of its internal affairs.
However, Taiwan and the United States reject this claim, saying that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.
The US Navy’s Seventh Fleet reported that the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, also used for anti-submarine missions, navigated through the strait in international airspace.
By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the rights and freedoms of navigation for all countries.
– says the official statement of the fleet.
The passage of the aircraft through the Taiwan Strait reinforces the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
On Thursday morning, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the aircraft had maintained the center line of the strait and was flying south while being watched by Taiwanese forces. This midline is usually used as the unofficial border between Taiwan and China. Since August last year, the number of Chinese military aircraft crossing the center line has increased. China conducted the current military exercises in the south of the island. Warships, combat aircraft and bombers also participated in it.
China has not yet commented on the exercises, which took place two weeks before Taiwan’s large annual military exercises. The events coincide with the NATO summit, The coalition leaders expressed concern about China’s ambitious and aggressive policies.
Photo credit: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images
