On Wednesday, China’s military reported that it deployed fighter jets to track and issue warnings to a U.S. Navy patrol plane that flew over the contentious Taiwan Strait. This incident occurred just weeks before Taiwan is scheduled to conduct elections.
China asserts its control over Taiwan, a self-governed democratic region, claiming the Taiwan Strait falls under its jurisdiction. However, Taiwan and the United States disagree, viewing the strait as an international waterway.
The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet disclosed that its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, which also serves in anti-submarine roles, navigated through the strait in international airspace.
The U.S. Navy emphasized that the flight of the Poseidon demonstrates America’s dedication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. military’s policy is to operate freely in areas permitted by international law, as stated in their release.
Conversely, China’s military labeled the U.S. flight as an overhyped act, stating they dispatched fighter jets to track and appropriately address the U.S. plane, following legal and regulatory protocols.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command affirmed their constant vigilance and their commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that their forces monitored the U.S. aircraft’s southward journey through the strait and described the overall situation as normal.
Previously, in October, when the U.S. Navy announced a similar mission by a Poseidon aircraft through the strait, China had responded by sending its fighter jets to monitor and issue warnings.
As Taiwan prepares for its upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13, China has framed the election as a critical choice between war and peace.
In recent years, China has intensified its military presence around Taiwan, conducting major military exercises, including two significant war game operations in the last eighteen months.
