On September 17, the Chinese military deployed fighter jets to tail a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft as it passed through the Taiwan Strait. This incident further increased tensions in the region, as China considers Taiwan an inseparable part of itself and has always maintained its stance that it will not rule out the use of force to unify the island.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command confirmed the dispatch of fighter jets to “track and guard” the US aircraft. PLA spokesman Li Xi stressed that Chinese military forces are always in a high state of readiness to “safeguard national sovereignty and security” and maintain peace and stability in the region.
On the US side, the US Navy’s 7th Fleet also confirmed that the P-8A Poseidon flight passed through the Taiwan Strait in international airspace. This is the first time in the past 5 months that a US Navy aircraft has flown through this strait. However, the 7th Fleet’s announcement did not mention that the aircraft was tailed by Chinese fighter jets. According to the US Navy, this flight was in full compliance with international law and is part of the US commitment to protecting freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The incident comes just days after China criticized Germany for sending two military ships through the Taiwan Strait, accusing the move of increasing security risks in the region. Recent actions by both the US and Germany have highlighted international attention to the Taiwan Strait, which has become a flashpoint in the tense relationship between China and Western countries.
While the United States has asserted freedom of navigation and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, China has consistently viewed external interference in the Taiwan issue as a threat to its sovereignty. The issue is expected to continue to cause tensions in international relations as major powers continue to adjust their strategies in this important region.