US P-8 Reconnaissance Plane Flies Through Taiwan Strait, Chinese Military Shadows Aircraft, Continues "Grey Zone" Warfare On Taiwan
While the United States views the Taiwan Strait as international waters, Beijing claims it as its own territory and protested the flight, calling it "provocative" and "hyped" by the US.
TAIPEI - A U.S. P-8 reconnaissance aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on November 26th, while Taiwan continues to report spotting Chinese military aircraft and naval forces operating around the island daily.
While the United States views the Taiwan Strait as international waters, Beijing claims it as its own territory and protested the flight. A spokesman for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command labeled the flight as 'provocative,' accusing the United States of 'hyping up" the incident publicly.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported after the flight, "A US P-8 aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait from south to north today. During this period, [Taiwanese Armed Forces] maintained full control over the surrounding sea and airspace, with the situation remaining normal."
China is continuing its "grey zone" warfare on the island of Taiwan, with 17 Chinese military aircraft and 7 PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels being spotted around the island today, one day after the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft flew over the Strait.