“The US Navy has once again sent a warplane through the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate support for a free and open international airspace. China retaliated by raising fighter jets over the waterway it claims as its own.”, — write: www.ukrinform.ua
“(Reconnaissance aircraft – ed.) P-8A Poseidon of the US Navy passed through the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on September 17,” the command of the 7th Fleet said.
It noted that by acting in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.
“The transit of the aircraft through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. military flies, sails, and operates wherever international law allows,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement.
The Chinese military, reports China Military, raised fighter jets to monitor and escort the US Navy aircraft.
“The Eastern Operational Command of the People’s Liberation Army of China deployed fighter jets to monitor the flight of the United States aircraft. The troops of the command are constantly in a state of heightened readiness to resolutely protect national sovereignty and security and maintain regional peace and stability,” said the spokesman of the Eastern Command, Colonel Li Xi.
China, which considers the democratically governed Taiwan to be its own rebellious province and claims control over the Taiwan Strait, calls the passage of warships and aircraft of the United States and its allies through this sea route provocations and every time subjects such actions to harsh criticism.
Read also: The US approved the sale Taiwan spare parts for combat aircraft for about $228 million As Ukrinform reported, on September 13, Germany sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in over twenty years.