On Tuesday, a US Navy aircraft flew across the Taiwan Strait, prompting Chinese military aircraft to follow suit. The US stated that the US military aircraft flying over the Taiwan Strait was a demonstration of its commitment to freedom and open international airspace.
The US 7th Fleet stated that the US P-8A Poseidon was “conducting lawful military activities in support of maintaining maritime security and the freedom of navigation for all nations.”
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese military stated that the US P-8A Poseidon is capable of conducting long-range anti-submarine warfare surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, stated that the Chinese military urgently dispatched fighter jets to “track and monitor the flight of the US aircraft” and acted “in accordance with the law.”
China has never abandoned its ambition to annex Taiwan by force. Over the past five years, Chinese military activities around Taiwan have been increasing, including military exercises around the island.
Last week, two German Navy ships passed through the Taiwan Strait, marking the first time in twenty years that German military vessels transited the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating Germany’s solidarity with Western allies on the Taiwan issue. This move angered Beijing.
Previously, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that Beijing “firmly opposes” German Navy ships traversing the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, expressed gratitude when meeting with German lawmakers on Monday, emphasizing that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and welcomes all countries to defend freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.
In 2001, a collision occurred between a US reconnaissance aircraft and a People’s Liberation Army Navy fighter jet near Hainan Island, resulting in the death of the Chinese pilot. The US stated that its military aircraft were operating in international airspace and the accident was caused by reckless maneuvers by the Chinese side.
(Information sourced from Reuters and Associated Press reports)