The Ministry of National Defense says a U-S Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime
patrol and reconnaissance aircraft has transited the Taiwan Strait.

According to the ministry, it closely monitored nearby airspace and waters as
the plane passed from south to north through the strait, and observed no
abnormal activity.

The U-S 7th Fleet issued a statement saying the aircraft transited the Taiwan
Strait "in international airspace."

That statement went on to say that "by operating within the Taiwan Strait in
accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational
rights and freedoms of all nations ....

.. and the U-S military "flies, sails and operates anywhere international law
allows."

Beijing has once again protested the transit - saying it deployed naval and
air forces to monitor and warn the U-S patrol aircraft and denounced the
United States for trying to "mislead" the international community.