Taiwan is on ‘alert’ after seeing a Chinese aircraft carrier sailing south

Published on: 13/10/2024 – 10:26

1 min

Taiwan was on “alert” when it spotted a Chinese aircraft carrier in the south on Sunday, the self-governing island’s defense ministry said.

“The Chinese aircraft carrier group Liaoning has entered the waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely to proceed to the Western Pacific Ocean,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the military “remains on alert, ready to respond if necessary ”.

China has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, sending fighter jets and other military aircraft, while Chinese ships maintain a near-constant presence around the waters.

The detection of the Liaoning aircraft carrier comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China on Friday against taking any “provocative” action against Taiwan, following a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te during National Day celebrations day earlier on the island.

Lai, who calls China a “separatist,” vowed Thursday to “oppose the annexation” of the island, stressing that Beijing and Taipei are “not subordinate to each other.”

China warned after the speech that Lai’s “provocations” would result in a “disaster” for the people of Taiwan.

(AFP)