In a press release, the U.S. 7th Fleet stated that a U.S. Navy Patrol aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait Tuesday "in international aviation", demonstrating the United States commitment to a open and free Indo-Pacific.

Around once a week, U.S. aircraft or ships pass over or through the waterway that separates Taiwan's democratically-governed government from China. This always enrages Beijing.

China asserts that it has jurisdiction in the Taiwan Strait and claims to be sovereign over Taiwan. Taiwan and the United States disagree, claiming that the Taiwan Strait was an international waterway.

A P-8A Poseidon naval patrol aircraft from the 7th Fleet of the U.S. Navy flew through this strait.

In a press release, it stated that "by operating in the Taiwan Strait according to international law, the United States protects the navigational freedoms and rights of all nations."

The Chinese defence ministry did not immediately respond.

China's military claimed to have sent fighter jets in April to monitor and alert a U.S. Navy Possedon in the Taiwan Strait. This mission took place only hours after a phone call between Chinese and U.S. defense chiefs. Beijing Newsroom, Ben Blanchard (Taipei) and Tom Hogue (Editing).

(source: Reuters)