A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken, Apr 11, 2023. (Image: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)
Published October 13, 2024
TAIPEI: Taiwan reported a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailing to the island’s south on Sunday (Oct 13), as China’s military put out a video saying it was “prepared for battle” amid concerns in Taipei about the possibility of a new round of Chinese war games.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, detests its president Lai Ching-te as a “separatist”, and the Chinese military routinely operates around the island.
Last week at his keynote national day speech, Lai said the People’s Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but that the island was willing to work with Beijing to combat challenges like climate change, striking both a firm and conciliatory tone, but drawing anger from China.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement that a Chinese navy group led by the carrier the Liaoning had entered waters near the Bashi Channel, which connects the South China Sea and the Pacific and separates Taiwan from the Philippines. It said the carrier group was expected to enter the Western Pacific.
Taiwan’s armed forces are keeping a close watch on developments and “exercising an appropriate vigilance and response”, the ministry added, without elaborating.
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SOURCE: www.channelnewsasia.com
RELATED: Chinese navy group led by carrier Liaoning sails to Taiwan’s south
Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning sails near Okinawa, Japan on April 4, 2021. (Handout via Reuters) October 13, 2024 18:22 JST
Published October 13, 2024
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Sunday it was “on alert” after a Chinese aircraft carrier was detected to the south of the island.
The incident comes three days after Taiwan’s president angered Beijing during a speech to mark the self-ruled island’s National Day.
China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and tensions between the two have spiked in recent years over the near-constant deployment of Chinese ships to waters near the island.
What did Taiwan say about the latest Chinese maneuver?
“China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier group has entered waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely to proceed into the western Pacific,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Bashi Channel connects the South China Sea and the Pacific and separates Taiwan from the Philippines.
“The Taiwanese military is employing joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems to closely monitor related activities and remains on alert, prepared to respond as necessary,” the ministry added.
The maneuver came hours after China’s military put out a propaganda video on social media entitled “Fully prepared and biding one’s time before battle.”
The footage showed Chinese fighter jets and warships operating together, mobile missile launchers being moved into place and amphibious assault vehicles.
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SOURCE: www.dw.com
