China has issued a statement protesting a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft flying through the Taiwan Strait on Monday. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) statement said, “We firmly oppose this. Theater troops maintain a high level of alert at all times and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In response, the U.S. 7th Fleet said, “The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait.” The incident comes just days after another U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flying in the South China Sea was shadowed by a Chinese fighter, with the fighter closing to within 500 feet of the P-8’s wing according to Fox News.
