Taiwan says Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through Taiwan Strait

23/10/2024 11:38

        A Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait, travelling in a northerly direction after passing through waters near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas islands.
        
        Taiwan's defence ministry said the Chinese ships, led by Liaoning, the oldest of China's three aircraft carriers, were spotted on Tuesday night, and its forces monitored the fleet. The Pratas are at the northern end of the South China Sea.
        
        The Liaoning was involved in Chinese war games last week near Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory despite the strong objections of the government in Taipei.
        
        Taiwan said at the time that the Liaoning operated off the island's southeast coast during those drills, launching aircraft off its deck.
        
        Japan said last month the same carrier had entered Japan's contiguous waters for the first time.
        
        China has sailed its carriers through the strategic strait before, including in December shortly before Taiwan held elections.