"US-China Tensions Escalate: Naval Maneuvers and High-Level Talks in Taiwan Strait"

The US Navy flew a P-8A Poseidon aircraft through the Taiwan Strait, prompting China to scramble fighter jets in response. This comes after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's call with his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Dong Jun, in an effort to reduce regional tensions. The US emphasized its commitment to upholding navigational rights and freedoms in international waters, while China views such actions as a challenge to its sovereignty. Military-to-military contact between the US and China had stalled since August 2022, but diplomatic efforts are underway to improve communications and reduce the risk of conflict in the region.