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Chinese Battle Group Enters the Taiwan Strait. Taiwanese Planes and Ships Sent to the Area

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By Lillian Zheng

January 11, 2017
6:51 pm
Los Angeles, CA

The presence of the currently only Chinese aircraft carrier and several Chinese warships in the Strait of Taiwan has caused a stir in Taipei, which sent its own aircraft and ships to monitor the Chinese movements in the area. Beijing sent Wednesday morning a group of warships, led by the only Chinese carrier, in northern Taiwan Straits, causing the leadership to launch Taiwanese fighter jets and send Navy ships offshore. It is the latest sign of high tensions between the two countries. According to Reuters, Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, which was returning from drills in the South China Sea, didn’t enter the territorial waters of Taiwan, but in its identifying and air defense (ADIZ) zone in the southwest, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry said. As a result, Taiwan has sent

Beijing sent Wednesday morning a group of warships, led by the only Chinese carrier, in northern Taiwan Straits, causing the leadership to launch Taiwanese fighter jets and send Navy ships offshore. It is the latest sign of high tensions between the two countries.

According to Reuters, Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, which was returning from drills in the South China Sea, didn’t enter the territorial waters of Taiwan, but in its identifying and air defense (ADIZ) zone in the southwest, the Taiwanese Defence Ministry said.

As a result, Taiwan has sent fighter jets and Navy ships to “monitor and control” the passing of Chinese ships through the narrow portion of water, separating Taiwan from China. “We are fully monitoring their movements,” said Chen Chung-chi, spokesman for the Taiwanese Ministry of Deffence.

Chung-chi also said that Taiwanese military planes and ships were sent to watch the group of Chinese ships led by the aircraft carrier Liaoning, sailing in the west of the median line of the strait.

Previously, Beijing has argued that the Liaoning aircraft carrier participated in military exercises in the disputed South China Sea, and that its movements conform to international law.

As Reuters added, the latest Chinese marine exercises have made its neighbors feel nervous, particularly Taiwan. In addition, Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, where goods worth 5 trillion are passing annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have smaller territorial claims.

Meanwhile, relations between China and Taiwan have been strained recently after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called President elected of the United States, Donald Trump, last month to congratulate him on his victory.