Chinese military forces tracked a US Navy patrol plane that flew across Taiwan Strait today‚ in what became another show of different views on the waterways status. The P-8A Poseidon maritime aircraft (which does surveillance missions) moved through the area that China says belongs to itʼs territory
The US Navyʼs 7th fleet pointed out that the flight happened in open skies: these actions show their support for free movement in Indo-Pacific region. Such flights happen about once every month — part of US regular operations in the area
The Chinese militaryʼs Eastern Theatre Command made its position clear:
The US side twists legal ideas and confuses public opinion
Taiwans defence department kept track of the P-8A as it went north through the strait; they noted everything was fine. The whole thing brings up old arguments: Beijing thinks it owns the strait while Washington and Taipei say its open to all
This isnt the first time-such event happened — just seven months ago Chinese jets went up to watch another US Navy Poseidon (right after their defence chiefs had a talk). The US keeps doing these missions to show its views on free movement‚ but China always sees them as not-ok