A patrol plane P-8 Poseidon of the US Navy crossed this Tuesday the Taiwan Straitwhich represents the first time in two months that an aircraft of this type flies over the area.
As reported by the US Navy Seventh Fleetthe purpose of this operation was to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to a “Free and open Indo-Pacific”.
The plane transited one of the most sensitive sea lanes in the world, a route that the Chinese regime claims as part of its territory.
The operation, which passed without incident, was confirmed by the US Navy in a statement.
“By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States defends the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations”says the text.
Furthermore, the message reiterated that “The US Army flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows.”.
This transition occurs in a context of growing tensions between China y USA. Last week, the Chinese Defense Minister, Dong Junrefused to meet with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austinduring the summit of defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos, due to disagreements over the situation of Taiwan. This summit also highlighted the rivalry between both countries in the field of security in the Indopacífico.
The presence of P-8 Poseidon coincides with a visit to Taiwan of the democratic senator Jeff Merkleywho is on the island to meet with senior Taiwanese officials, including the president William Lai.
This trip is part of Washington’s efforts to strengthen its relations with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory, despite the fact that the island has been governed autonomously since 1949.
China has intensified its pressures on Taiwan in recent years, especially since the takeover of Let as president last May. Since then, more than 3,100 aircraft of the Chinese Army have been detected near the island, of which more than 2.200 have crossed the dividing line Taiwan Strait or have violated the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) from Taiwan. This increase in Chinese military activity has been interpreted as a form of pressure on the island government.
The incident also comes amid growing concern over the use of hot air balloons Chinese near Taiwan. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported the presence of a Chinese balloon this Sunday, marking the first case of its kind in more than seven months. According to the report, the balloon flew over the ADIZ Taiwanese at an altitude of about 10.054 metros before disappearing after two hours. These types of raids, which the Taiwanese government considers part of the tactics of “gray area” from China, seeks to generate uncertainty and psychological pressure on the island.
Although USA y Taiwan They do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and has reaffirmed its commitment to defending the island in the event of a conflict with China.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
