Taiwan Detects Chinese Aircraft Carrier Group Approaching Sensitive Waters Amid Rising Tensions
Taipei reported on Wednesday that it has detected a Chinese aircraft carrier group, led by the Liaoning, navigating towards the waters separating Taiwan and China. This movement comes just a day after Beijing conducted a live-fire military exercise near the self-ruled island, further escalating ongoing tensions in the region.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, has significantly increased military activities around the island in recent years, aiming to pressure Taipei to accept Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, the Liaoning aircraft carrier group was observed overnight in the vicinity of the Taipei-administered Pratas Islands—approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Taiwan—and is now heading northward towards the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
"The Liaoning, along with its accompanying naval vessels, sailed through waters near Dongsha and continued northward," the ministry stated via the social media platform X. Taiwan’s military has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond accordingly.
Last week, the Liaoning participated in China’s large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan, which drew condemnation from both Taipei and Washington, a key ally of Taiwan. During those exercises, Beijing deployed a record number of fighter jets and warships in a show of force described as a "stern warning" against what it sees as separatist movements in favor of Taiwanese independence.
Following the military drills, China announced a live-fire exercise scheduled for Tuesday, taking place about 105 kilometers (65 miles) from Taiwan. Meanwhile, over the weekend, a US and Canadian warship transited the Taiwan Strait, which is regularly navigated by Washington and its allies as part of their commitment to uphold the status of this critical waterway. Beijing condemned these passages, claiming they disrupt "peace and stability" in the strait.
As tensions continue to escalate, the situation in the region remains closely watched by international observers.
