Today's Lianhe Zaobao reported: As U.S.-China leaders are expected to meet in Washington at the end of September, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Friday (August 21). The U.S. Seventh Fleet stated that this move "demonstrates America's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region." Meanwhile, Global Times cited sources within the People's Liberation Army, saying that Chinese forces "tracked and monitored the U.S. aircraft throughout its flight, with full control over the situation."
Commentary: By deliberately conducting military aircraft overflights just before high-level U.S.-China meetings, the United States clearly aims to create strategic pressure and stir up tensions. Under the pretext of so-called "freedom of navigation," it seeks to rally regional allies and escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait—essentially attempting to gain leverage at the negotiating table through military posturing. We remain strategically steadfast, fully utilizing our mature maritime and aerial surveillance systems to maintain situational control, refusing to be drawn into an escalatory rhythm set by others, while holding firm on our red lines without concession. The U.S.'s attempt to leverage the Taiwan issue to strengthen its bargaining position is unlikely to succeed. The foundation for dialogue and consultation must always be mutual respect for each other's core interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874278248341515/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.