The Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that a U-S P-8A Poseidon
maritime patrol aircraft has transited the Taiwan Strait.

According to the ministry, it monitored nearby waters and airspace as the
aircraft flew in a north-south direction during the transit, and observed no
unusual activity.

The U-S 7th Fleet had aslo issued a statement - saying the transit
"demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

That statement went on to say that "by operating within the Taiwan Strait in
accordance with international law, the U-S upholds the navigational rights
and freedoms of all nations" and the U-S military "flies, sails and operates
anywhere international law allows."

The transit of the reconnaissance aircraft comes as U-S Defense Secretary
Lloyd Austin has been speaking to China's defense minister in the first
engagement between the sides in more than a year.