US Military Plane Passes Again In Taiwan Strait, China: Dangers Peace And Stability

Illustration of the flags of China and the US. (Wikimedia Commons/Sgt. Mikki Sprinkle)

China accused the United States of endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, after a US military plane flew across the sensitive waterway on Monday, while the US Navy responded by saying the plane was in international airspace.

Beijing is known to be furious with the US military's repeated missions through the narrow strait, most often carried out by warships but sometimes by airplanes, saying China "has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction" of the waterway.

Meanwhile, Taiwan and the United States denied the statement, saying the strait was an international waters route.

The East Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) said its troops were closely monitoring patrol aircraft and maritime reconnaissance of the P-8A Poseidon, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, when flying through the strait separating China from Taiwan.

"The actions of the US side intentionally disrupted and disrupted regional situations and jeopardized peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We firmly oppose this," the military command said in a statement.

"The military forces remain on alert at all times and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement continued.

Meanwhile, the US Navy's 7th Fleet said the aircraft flew in international airspace, insisting the United States would continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, including in the Taiwan Strait.

"By operating in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the rights of navigation and freedom of all countries. The plane transit in the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," he added in a statement.

Separately, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said the plane flew south through the strait.

Taiwanese troops tracked down the plane as if flying through the strait, the ministry said, and noted that the situation was "as usual" without further explanation.