<p>Beijing: A US Navy patrol aircraft flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, just hours after a conversation between the Chinese and US defence chiefs, in which Beijing warned Washington of the ultra-sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue.</p>.<p>China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the strait. Taiwan and the United States dispute that, saying the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.</p>.<p>The US Navy's 7th Fleet said the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, flew over the strait in international airspace.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.US plan to link AUKUS submarine pact to Taiwan riles China; Beijing to oppose 'resolutely'.<p>There was no immediate reaction from China.</p>.<p>The last time the US Navy announced a Poseidon had flown through the strait, in December, China's military said it had sent fighter jets to monitor and warn the aircraft.</p>.<p>The latest Poseidon mission came shortly after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, the first engagement the two have had in more than a year as the two countries seek to restore military ties.</p>.<p>Dong told Austin that the Taiwan issue is "core of China's core interests and China's core interests must absolutely not be harmed," according to a readout from his ministry.</p>.<p>"The Chinese People's Liberation Army will never let any Taiwan independence separatist activities and external connivance and support go unchecked," it cited Dong as saying.</p>.<p>The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, and the issue is a constant irritant for Sino-US relations.</p>.Taiwan searches for 18 still missing after earthquake.<p>US military ships and aircraft transit the narrow Taiwan Strait about once a month.</p>.<p>Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's people can decide their future.</p>.<p>China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. </p>
<p>Beijing: A US Navy patrol aircraft flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, just hours after a conversation between the Chinese and US defence chiefs, in which Beijing warned Washington of the ultra-sensitive nature of the Taiwan issue.</p>.<p>China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says it has jurisdiction over the strait. Taiwan and the United States dispute that, saying the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.</p>.<p>The US Navy's 7th Fleet said the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, which is also used for anti-submarine missions, flew over the strait in international airspace.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.US plan to link AUKUS submarine pact to Taiwan riles China; Beijing to oppose 'resolutely'.<p>There was no immediate reaction from China.</p>.<p>The last time the US Navy announced a Poseidon had flown through the strait, in December, China's military said it had sent fighter jets to monitor and warn the aircraft.</p>.<p>The latest Poseidon mission came shortly after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, the first engagement the two have had in more than a year as the two countries seek to restore military ties.</p>.<p>Dong told Austin that the Taiwan issue is "core of China's core interests and China's core interests must absolutely not be harmed," according to a readout from his ministry.</p>.<p>"The Chinese People's Liberation Army will never let any Taiwan independence separatist activities and external connivance and support go unchecked," it cited Dong as saying.</p>.<p>The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, and the issue is a constant irritant for Sino-US relations.</p>.Taiwan searches for 18 still missing after earthquake.<p>US military ships and aircraft transit the narrow Taiwan Strait about once a month.</p>.<p>Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's people can decide their future.</p>.<p>China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. </p>