The US Pacific Fleet said that a Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait in international airspace early Thursday, local time.

The commander of the US 7th Fleet said in a statement that "by operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United Sates upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations."

It said the aircraft's transit "demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

A spokesperson for the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command issued a statement sharply criticizing the move.

"A US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on April 17 and hyped it up publicly," the statement said.

It added, "The troops of the Eastern Theater Command will remain on high alert at all times and resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty as well as regional peace and stability."

The 7th Fleet sent its guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn through the Taiwan Strait last month to underscore freedom of navigation. That move also drew a backlash from China.

Thursday's development came as top US and China defense officials held talks for the first time in 17 months.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun that "the United States will continue to fly sail and operate - safely and responsibly - wherever international law allows."

He also reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait.

Dong replied that the Chinese military will never condone external support for Taiwan.