BEIJING, Nov 26 - A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait today, asserting its operations occurred in international airspace, according to a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet. This move underscores the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China, is a contentious area, with China claiming sovereignty over Taiwan and asserting its jurisdiction over the strait. Conversely, both Taiwan and the United States maintain that the strait is an international waterway.
The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet emphasized that its operations are conducted in accordance with international law, thereby upholding navigational rights and freedoms for all nations. There has been no immediate response from China's defense ministry regarding this incident.
This event follows a pattern of U.S. military presence in the region, with such patrols occurring approximately once a month, often provoking strong reactions from Beijing. In April, Chinese military jets monitored and warned a U.S. Navy Poseidon aircraft in a similar operation shortly after discussions between the defense chiefs of China and the United States.