TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A US P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense reported on Tuesday (Nov. 26).

The plane flew from south to north, the MND said. Throughout its transit, the military kept tabs on the surrounding maritime and airspace activities. 

The US 7th Fleet said in a statement that the flight was in accordance with international law and reaffirmed America's “commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” “The US military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows,” it added.

A P-8A was also tracked flying south to north in the Taiwan Strait in September.

Earlier Tuesday, the MND said it detected five Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one government vessel operating around Taiwan. Four of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into the nation’s southwest airspace, MND said. Taiwan’s armed forces dispatched aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems to monitor the situation.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 319 Chinese military aircraft and 154 ships. 

Meanwhile, US Senator Jeff Merkley is in Taiwan to engage in bilateral discussions on Taiwan-US relations, regional security, trade, and other shared concerns.