US P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft flies over Taiwan Strait, China sends fighter jets to closely follow

On September 17, the US Navy's 7th Fleet confirmed that a Boeing P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft of this force flew through "international airspace" over the Taiwan Strait.

A US P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft. (Source: Sputnik)

Sputnik news agency quoted the 7th Fleet's statement as saying: "By operating in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States protects the rights and freedoms of navigation of all nations."

The statement added that the aircraft's flight through the Taiwan Strait demonstrated Washington's commitment to maintaining a "free and open" Indo- Pacific region.

In response to this move, on September 17, the spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Colonel Li Xi, said that this force had dispatched fighter jets to monitor and supervise the movement of the US patrol aircraft and handle it in accordance with legal regulations.

Colonel Ly Hi affirmed that the Chinese army is always on high alert, determined to protect national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability.

In mid-April 2024, the US 7th Fleet made a similar statement when a P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese military said at the time that it escorted the US aircraft throughout the journey.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/may-bay-tuan-tra-my-p-8a-poseidon-bay-qua-eo-bien-dai-loan-trung-quoc-dieu-chien-dau-co-theo-sat-286646.html