US Navy Surveillance Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait, Tailed by China’s Warplanes

A U.S. surveillance aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Sept. 17 as part of what the 7th Fleet said to be protected freedom of navigation exercises, drawing Beijing’s ire. The P-8A Poseidon, outfitted with radars and sensors, “transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace” on Sept. 17, the 7th Fleet said in a Tuesday statement. “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.” The 100-mile-wide waterway separates communist China from the democratic-governed Taiwan. Despite being recognized as international waters, the Chinese regime asserts that it falls under its jurisdiction and views any passage by foreign powers as a challenge to its sovereignty....