A P-8A Poseidon attached to Maritime Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 flies over the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) in the South China Sea June 29, 2016. U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Daniel Rodriguez/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
TAIPEI 鈥� Chinese fighter jets monitored a U.S. Navy patrol plane that flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, following two days of Chinese military exercises to the south of the island Beijing views as China鈥檚 sovereign territory.
China has been incensed by U.S. military missions through the narrow strait, most frequently of warships but occasionally of aircraft, saying China 鈥渉as sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction鈥� over the waterway. Taiwan and the United States dispute that, saying it is an international waterway.The U.S. Navy鈥檚 7th fleet said the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, flew through the strait in international airspace.
鈥淏y operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations,鈥� it said in a statement.
China鈥檚 military described the flight as 鈥減ublic hype鈥�, adding it sent fighters to monitor and warn the U.S. plane.
鈥淭roops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability,鈥� the People鈥檚 Liberation Army鈥檚 Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement on its WeChat account.
Taiwan鈥檚 defense ministry said the U.S. aircraft had stuck to the strait鈥檚 median line and flew in a southerly direction on Thursday morning, and that Taiwan鈥檚 forces kept watch.
The median line normally serves as an unofficial barrier between Taiwan and China.
However, since last August when China held large-scale war games around Taiwan, Chinese military aircraft have been frequently crossing the line, though generally quite briefly.
The U.S. flight followed two days of new Chinese drills near Taiwan, involving fighters, bombers and warships flying mainly to the island鈥檚 south and out into the Pacific through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines.
China has not commented on the exercises, which took place less than two weeks before Taiwan stages its own annual drills and as NATO alliance leaders said China challenges its interests, security and values with its 鈥渁mbitions and coercive policies鈥�.