:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/AW74VGC6AZ5FOSMHDWND4VPFZM.jpg "Tension in the Indo-Pacific: a US military plane flew over the Taiwan Strait and China deployed fighter jets")
US Navy P-8A Poseidon Flies Through Taiwan Strait Following US-China Talks
A Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, as reported by the US 7th Fleet. This comes just a day after the US and Chinese defense chiefs had their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to ease regional tensions.
The 7th Fleet stated that the patrol and reconnaissance aircraft operated in international airspace while transiting through the Taiwan Strait. The move was in accordance with international law, with the United States emphasizing its commitment to defending navigational rights and freedoms in the region.
The Taiwan Strait, which is 160 kilometers wide, serves as a dividing line between China and the autonomous island of Taiwan. China views the passage of foreign military planes and ships through the strait as a challenge to its sovereignty, despite it being considered international waters.
China lays claim to Taiwan and has threatened to use force to defend it, despite US military support for the island. In response to the P-8A Poseidon’s transit, China deployed fighter jets to monitor the passage and reiterated its stance on safeguarding national sovereignty and security.
Tensions have escalated in recent months, with China regularly conducting military exercises near Taiwan to intimidate the island’s residents. The US has been working to improve communications with the Chinese military in an effort to reduce the chances of a potential confrontation in the region.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently held a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, marking the first substantial exchange between the two since November 2022. The call comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to travel to China for further discussions later this month.
Military-to-military contacts between the US and China had stalled in August 2022 following a visit to Taiwan by then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The subsequent firing of missiles by China and increased military exercises raised concerns of a potential blockade of Taiwan.
With tensions remaining high in the region, continued dialogue and efforts to reduce misunderstandings between the US and China are essential to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.