Three Chinese warships pass through Taiwan Strait after increased military exercises
A new one has been added to China's recently increasing military exercises over Taiwan. On Friday, three Chinese ships passed through the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's armed forces said they were monitoring the situation.
China has stepped up its air and naval attacks on Taiwan.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said three Chinese ships passed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. Among the ships was the Shandong aircraft carrier.
"A (People's Liberation Army Navy) flotilla of 3 ships, led by the Shangdong aircraft carrier, passed through the Taiwan Strait around noon today," the ministry said in a statement, referring to China's navy.
The flotilla went "to the west of the median line, heading northward," it added, referring to the unofficial border in the middle of the strait.
SHANDONG PASSES THROUGH THE STRAIT FOR THE FIRST TIME
Chinese warships pass through the Taiwan Strait all the time. But this is the first time Shandong has crossed the strait separating the island from the Asian continent, AFP reported.
Taiwan's armed forces "have monitored the situation and tasked (civil air patrol) aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities," the ministry said.
SHANDONG AIRCRAFT CARRIER
Shandong is the first indigenous aircraft carrier of the People's Republic of China. Completed in 2017, the aircraft carrier then started port system trials.
During the military exercises in 2023, Shandong was stationed in areas close to Taiwan, but for the first time it stepped into the Taiwan Strait.
Source: The Peninsula
