"Up to five US reconnaissance aircraft were spotted over the #SouthChinaSea Sep 7, a day after USS Carl Vinson entered the region. USAF: E-8C #AE1492, RC-135W #AE01CC. USN: MQ-4C #AE5C76, 2*P-8As #AE67A2 #AE67DD," the SCSPI tweeted.
Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan — a territory with its own democratically elected government — maintains that it is an autonomous country and has political and economic relations with several other nations that recognise its sovereignty.
In late August, Beijing criticised Washington for allegedly undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait after two US warships passed through.
The US does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign nation but has informal relations with the island.