China Monitors US Overflight of Taiwan Strait

A US P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft flew through international airspace over the Taiwan Strait on Friday. The Chinese military tracked and monitored it throughout the flight.

The US 7th Fleet said the aircraft operated in accordance with international law and that its flight demonstrated the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. According to the statement, Washington will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits.

The Chinese state-backed daily Global Times, citing a military source, reported that the Chinese military tracked the US aircraft throughout its overflight and had the situation under control. Similar US missions take place every few months and draw criticism from Beijing.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan to be part of its territory and claims jurisdiction over the strait. Taiwan and the US consider it an international waterway.

The overflight took place about a month before Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected visit to the US, where he is set to meet Donald Trump.

(Reuters, lud)