TAIPEI, July 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy patrol plane flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, following two days of Chinese military exercises to the south of the island Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory.
"By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," it said in a statement.
"The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows."
The mission followed two days of new Chinese drills near Taiwan, involving fighters, bombers and warships flying mainly to the island's south and out into the Pacific through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines.
Persons:
Ben Blanchard, Alex Richardson
Organizations:
U.S . Navy, U.s, United, Taiwan, NATO, Thomson
Locations:
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Beijing, China, United States, Navy's, Pacific, Philippines