The Chinese military sent fighter jets toward the Taiwan Strait Thursday as a U.S. Navy patrol plane flew over the water.
The U.S. Navy said the flight aimed to demonstrate its commitment in “a free and open Indo-Pacific,” and that it’s capable of anti-submarine missions.
The Chinese military allegedly sent out its own fighters to monitor the U.S. Navy. It also rebuked the flight as “public hype.”
“I think we need to move to clarity not only for our allies, but for our adversaries and also For the American people, our leadership needs to begin explaining why Taiwan is so important and what the world will look like if China is in a position to control 50 percent of global GDP,” Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) told NTD’s Capital Report Host Steve Lance.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said conflict in the disputed waterway would be “devastating.”
The Taiwan Strait plays a critical role in global trade, maritime transportation, and global security.
Both the U.S. and Taiwan acknowledge it as part of international waters. Beijing disputes that claim and considers it Chinese territory.