“On September 17, a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait. The command organized fighter jets to follow the US aircraft’s flight and respond according to the law,” said Li Xi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese military.
P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft
AFP quoted Mr. Ly as saying that the soldiers of the war zone “are always on high alert to resolutely protect national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability”.
In a statement, the US Navy’s 7th Fleet said a P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew through international airspace over the Taiwan Strait on September 17. The statement did not mention the Chinese aircraft shadowing it.
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The US 7th Fleet said the flight was in accordance with international law and Washington maintains the right of all nations to freedom of navigation. The P-8A flight through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the statement said.
Last weekend, China accused Germany of increasing security risks in the Taiwan Strait by sending two military ships through the strait.
The United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier, although the two sides have no formal ties. China considers Taiwan an inalienable part of its territory and has left open the possibility of reunification.
On September 16, the US State Department announced that it had approved an agreement to sell aircraft parts to Taiwan worth about $228 million, according to Reuters.