A U.S. Navy patrol aircraft traversed the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, operating “in international airspace,” according to a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet. This action underscores the United States’ dedication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. military vessels and aircraft typically navigate through or over this strategically significant waterway, which separates Taiwan, a democratically governed entity, from China, approximately once a month, often provoking strong reactions from Beijing.

China asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and claims jurisdiction over the strait, a position contested by Taiwan and the United States, which maintain that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.

The 7th Fleet confirmed that a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted the flight through the strait.

“By operating in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States affirms the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations,” the statement read.

There was no immediate comment from China’s defense ministry.

In April, China’s military reported that it had dispatched fighter jets to monitor and issue warnings to a U.S. Navy Poseidon in the Taiwan Strait, an operation that occurred shortly after a conversation between the defense leaders of China and the United States.