China accuses US of endangering peace in Taiwan Strait with military fly-through
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BEIJING has accused Washington of “endangering” peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, after a US military plane flew through the sensitive waterway on Monday (Feb 27).
China has claimed “sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction” over the narrow strait. It has been incensed by the US’ military missions there, involving mostly warships and occasionally, aircraft.
Taiwan and the US have countered China’s claim, saying instead that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.
The Eastern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said its forces monitored the P-8A Poseidon aircraft as it flew through the strait on Monday. The maritime patrol and reconnaissance military plane is also used for anti-submarine missions.
“The US side’s actions deliberately interfered with and disrupted the regional situation and endangered peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We firmly oppose this,” it said. “Theatre forces remain on high alert at all times, and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Taiwan’s defence ministry separately said that the aircraft had flown in a southerly direction through the strait. It added that Taiwanese forces tracked the aircraft as if flew through the strait, noting the situation was “as normal”, without elaborating.
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The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US said previously that such missions showed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its military activity near the island in the past three years. This comes as it seeks to force Taiwan to accept Beijing’s sovereignty. Taiwan’s government has said that only the island’s people could decide its future, and that it would not give in to threats.
Washington is Taiwan’s most important international backer and seller of arms, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. The US’ support for the island has been a constant irritant in Sino-US relations. REUTERS
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