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BEIJING (Reuters) -China stated on Thursday it had despatched fighter jets to observe and warn a U.S. Navy patrol plane that flew by the Taiwan Strait.
China claims sovereignty over democratically-governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the slender waterway. Taiwan and america dispute that, saying the Taiwan Strait is a world waterway.
Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Navy’s seventh fleet stated the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, which can also be used for anti-submarine missions, flew by the strait in worldwide airspace.
“By working inside the Taiwan Strait in accordance with worldwide legislation, america upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations,” the Navy stated, including that the plane’s transit demonstrates america’ dedication to a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
China’s navy described the flight as “public hype”, including it had despatched fighters to observe and warn the U.S. aircraft.
“Troops within the theatre are at all times on excessive alert and can resolutely defend nationwide sovereignty and safety in addition to regional peace and stability,” the Jap Theatre Command of the Individuals’s Liberation Military stated in a press release.
Taiwan’s defence ministry stated the U.S. plane had flown in a northerly path by the strait and caught to its median line. Taiwan’s forces saved watch the scenario was “as regular”, the ministry added.
China phases nearly each day navy actions of its personal within the Taiwan Strait and seas and skies round Taiwan.
The US final introduced a Poseidon mission by the strait in July.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Further reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Enhancing by Kim Coghill and Miral Fahmy)
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