【China and US Warships and Aircraft Confront in the Bashi Strait】

China and the United States are suspected to have again confronted each other in the Bashi Strait. A military-related social media account in Taiwan, which has long recorded the dynamics of the airspace around the Taiwan Strait, recorded on February 4 that a People's Liberation Army (PLA) warship was driving away a U.S. military aircraft in the area.

The media account released a radio recording that stated: a U.S. military aircraft suddenly flew over the Bashi Strait, and the PLA warship broadcasted to it in the southeast offshore area of Yilan, stating that it had entered the 24-nautical-mile zone of Taiwan, and required it to leave immediately.

According to the radio content and the coordinates indicated by Google Maps, the location is clearly located south of Kenting National Park, near the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

The Bashi Strait in southern Taiwan is a key shipping route. If placed within the context of the Taiwan Strait situation, this is a "strategic location" that both sides would fight for. During wartime, if the PLA fleet wants to go to the eastern waters of Taiwan and block the island, the Bashi Strait is an essential route. Compared with the Miyako Strait, it is obviously closer. In addition, this route directly connects the Western Pacific and the South China Sea. In the past, the Shandong aircraft carrier stationed in the South China Sea often directly entered the Philippine Sea through this route for training.

For the Americans, the Bashi Strait is also very critical. If they can block this area during wartime, it would mean blocking the PLA fleet's access to the eastern waters of Taiwan. Moreover, in the past, U.S. warships and aircraft often passed through this route between the South China Sea and the Western Pacific. Overall, whether viewed from the perspective of the Taiwan Strait situation or the South China Sea situation, the Bashi Strait plays a key role.

However, this time, the Taiwanese media did not specify which model of U.S. military aircraft appeared above the Bashi Strait. From previous cases, it should belong to the reconnaissance series.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1856203095113738/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.