China tracks U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane through Taiwan Strait
- China tracked a U.S. Navy plane in the Taiwan Strait on November 26, 2024.
- The U.S. emphasizes its actions are in accordance with international law and commitment to a free Indo-Pacific.
- Ongoing military tension between the U.S. and China increases concerns about regional stability.
On November 26, 2024, China mobilized military aircraft and ships in response to a U.S. Navy aircraft transiting the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet confirmed that a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted the passage within the strait's international airspace, which the United States asserts is within its rights under international law. The mission reaffirms the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, where it has maintained strong support for Taiwan, an island China considers its territory. China's military denounced the U.S. mission as a threat to regional peace, illustrating ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding Taiwan, a self-ruled entity with significant American military support. This development reflects the heightened military activities in and around Taiwan, an area frequently monitored by China's forces almost daily, contributing to escalating tensions in the region.