:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/AW74VGC6AZ5FOSMHDWND4VPFZM.jpg "A US military plane flew over the Taiwan Strait and China deployed fighter jets")
US Navy P-8A Poseidon Flies Through Taiwan Strait, Promoting Regional Tensions
A United States Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, in a move that could potentially increase tensions in the region. This comes just a day after the US and Chinese defense chiefs held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions.
The US 7th Fleet confirmed the P-8A Poseidon’s transit through the Taiwan Strait in international airspace, stating that the United States was defending the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. This action was seen as a demonstration of the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Taiwan Strait, which is 160 kilometers wide, serves as a dividing line between China and the autonomous island of Taiwan. While it is considered international waters, China views the passage of foreign military planes and ships through it as a challenge to its sovereignty.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has threatened to defend it by force if necessary, deployed fighter jets to monitor the passage of the American plane. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command spokesman, Colonel Li Xi, stated that China’s troops were on high alert to safeguard national sovereignty and security in response to such actions.
The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, in an effort to improve communication and reduce the chances of a confrontation. This conversation was the first of its kind since November 2022 and marks a step towards potential dialogue between the two nations.
The recent actions and communications between the US and China highlight the delicate balance of power and politics in the region, with both countries vying for influence and control. As tensions continue to simmer, the world watches closely to see how these diplomatic and military maneuvers will unfold.
(With information from AP)