A US Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait as it demonstrated the US’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the US 7th Fleet today said in a news release.
The patrol and reconnaissance plane “transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,” it said.
“By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations,” it added.
Photo: Reuters
The US military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows, it said.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of National Defense said that it monitored nearby waters and airspace as the aircraft — which flew in a north-south direction — was making the transit, and observed nothing unusual.
It is the third time this year that a US Navy P-8A Poseidon has flown through the Taiwan Strait.
China's military today said it deployed naval and air forces to monitor and warn a US Navy patrol aircraft that flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, denouncing the US for trying to "mislead" the international community.
It criticized the flight as "public hype," adding that it monitored the US aircraft throughout its transit and "effectively" responded to the situation.
"The relevant remarks by the US distort legal principles, confuse public opinion and mislead international perceptions," the Chinese military's Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement.
"We urge the US side to stop distorting and hyping up and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," it added.
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