China Sends Navy And Air Force Troops Overshadow US Fighter Planes In Taiwan Strait

United States (US) fighter jets. (Pixabay)a

JAKARTA - China's Navy (AL) and air (AU) were deployed to monitor and warn US Navy patrol aircraft flying over the joints of the Taiwan Strait.

About once a month, US military ships or aircraft pass or are above the waterway separating Taiwan from entering territory.

Citing Reuters Tuesday, November 26, the routine US military activity often angered China.

China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, insists it has jurisdiction over the strait. However, Taiwan and the US denied it, saying the strait was an international waterway.

The US Navy's 7th Fleet stated that the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flying over the strait is still in international airspace.

They said the flight showed US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"By operating in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the rights and freedoms of navigation of all countries," the US Navy statement said.

In response, the Chinese military strongly criticized the flight. China said it continued to monitor US military aircraft during transit and "effectively" responded to the situation.

"Relevant statements by the US distort legal principles, confuse public opinion, and mislead international perceptions," China's military Eastern Theater Command said in a statement.

"We urge the US to stop distorting and exaggerate and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," continued the statement.