US P8A Poseidon Chased by Chinese Fighter Jet: The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently issued a statement saying that its fighter jets chased an American P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft passing through the Taiwan Strait.
Senior Colonel and spokesperson of PLA Li Shi informed about the incident that fighter planes were deployed to monitor and chase the activities of the American aircraft. This operation was conducted within the ambit of law. US P-84 Poseidon aircraft is used for patrolling and is capable of long-range anti-submarine warfare.
Chinese military forces on high alert
Spokesperson Lee said that PLA soldiers will remain on high alert at all times. Our soldiers are fully prepared to protect national sovereignty as well as regional peace and stability. Let us tell you, no official statement has been issued by the US Navy on this encounter yet.
Growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait
The Taiwan Strait has already been a center of tension between China and other countries. China sees Taiwan as its part and is always cautious about foreign military activities in this region. A few days before this incident, Germany also sent its warships through the strait after two decades. China had expressed its displeasure over Germany’s decision at that time. Such incidents in the Taiwan Strait can fuel global tension.
In 2001, there was a collision between US and Chinese planes
This alleged incident between the US and China brought back memories of the 2001 encounter between the two countries. In 2001, an American surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided. The Chinese pilot died in this incident. After the accident, the US issued a statement saying that its plane was in international airspace and the cause of the accident was the negligence of the Chinese plane.
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