China: US fly-through endangered peace, stability in Taiwan Strait

China has slammed the United States for endangering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait after a US military plane flew through the sensitive waterway.

The P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane crossed the airspace over the strait, which separates China from Taiwan, on Monday.

The Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army said its forces had closely monitored the American aircraft as it flew through the strait.

"The US side's actions deliberately interfered with and disrupted the regional situation and endangered peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We firmly oppose this," the command said in a short statement.

"Theater forces remain on high alert at all times and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity" of China, the statement added.

US warship sails through Taiwan Strait amid rising tensions with China

A US warship on Thursday sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, prompting criticism from Beijing amid frayed ties between the two countries.

The US Navy's 7th Fleet, however, alleged in a statement that the aircraft had flown in international airspace.

"By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," it claimed.

China has sovereignty over Taiwan and under the 'One China' policy, almost all world countries, including the US, recognize that sovereignty, meaning they would not establish direct diplomatic contact with the self-proclaimed government in Taipei.

However, in its continued bid to antagonize Beijing, Washington regularly oversteps its own principles, siding with Taipei's secessionist administration, engaging in frequent military missions around the island, and serving as the biggest seller of arms to the territory.

On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States planned to drastically boost the number of American military troops deployed in Taiwan, in defiance of China’s warnings.

US plans to drastically boost troop deployment to Chinese Taipei: Reports

The United States plans to drastically boost the number of American military troops deployed in Taiwan, in defiance of China’s warning against such deployments to the self-ruled island, according to reports.

Citing unnamed US officials, the paper reported that the deployment was to take place in the coming months.

The US troops, which include special operations forces and Marines, are to train Taiwanese forces on military maneuvers as well as on American weapons systems, the report added.

The year 2022 saw a spike in tensions as Beijing launched its largest war games in decades following a visit to the self-ruled island in August by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has already made it clear that he is “prepared to resolve the conflict over the role of Taiwan also with military means.”

Ahead of the G20 Summit in Indonesia last December, Xi told US President Joe Biden the issue of Taipei is China’s “first red line” in bilateral relations, warning that Washington must not cross the line.

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