CHINA TOPIX

03/28/2024 04:36:23 pm

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Taiwan Dispatches Jets, Navy Ships after Chinese Aircraft Carrier Enters Taiwan Strait

Cross Strait Relations.

(Photo : Getty Images) Taiwan defense ministry said it dispatched fighter jets and navy ships on Wednesday after China's Liaoning aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan dispatched fighter jets and navy ships on Wednesday after Chinese warships led by a aircraft carrier sailed through Taiwan Strait, in yet another sign of ongoing tension in the cross-strait relations.     

"The military is monitoring the whole situation and will act as necessary. We urge Taiwan's people to be at ease," Taiwan's defense ministry said in statement.   

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The defense ministry claimed that China's Liaoning aircraft passed through Taiwan Strait as it was returning from South China Sea region. It maintained that the aircraft carrier did not encroached Taiwan's territorial waters, but Chinese aircrafts accompanying it breached Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in southwest region.  

Beijing recently stated that its Liaoning aircraft carrier is carrying out military drills in the disputed South China Sea waters in accordance with the international laws. China also used J-15 fighter jets and several ship-borne helicopters during this drill.

Taiwan and other claimants saw the exercise as China's latest show of strength in South China Sea waters.

China stakes claim over almost entire South China Sea, which is believed to have a huge reservoir of energy resources. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei are other claimants that stake claim in the energy rich waters.

China and Taiwan's relation has been under considerable strain ever since the pro-independent leader Tsai Ing-wen took charge of the self-ruled island nation last year.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea on Tuesday also accused China of carrying out drills in sensitive areas. Both countries said that they have put their fighter jets on high alert, after spotting several Chinese aircrafts flying between East China Sea and Sea of Japan.

China is often accused of carrying out unannounced military drills in the contagious areas in a bid to show its military strength to rival countries.     

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