Taiwan monitors Chinese carrier group amid tensions By Investing.com

Taiwan monitors Chinese carrier group amid tensions By Investing.com
Taiwan monitors Chinese carrier group amid tensions By Investing.com

Taiwan today observed a Chinese carrier strike group moving south of the island, while the Chinese military released a video proclaiming its combat readiness. The moves come amid heightened tensions between Taipei and Beijing, with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te recently expressing a strong stance against China’s sovereignty claims.

The carrier strike group, led by Liaoning, is believed to have entered the Bashi Channel, a strategic sea lane linking the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. The group is expected to continue its route towards the Western Pacific. Taiwan’s armed forces are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining vigilance and readiness.

The development follows President Lai’s National Day speech last week, in which he said the People’s Republic of China cannot represent Taiwan on the international stage. Despite this tough stance, Lai has also been open to working with Beijing on global challenges such as climate change. The speech, however, was greeted with discontent by China.

Security experts in Taiwan had previously speculated that Lai’s speech could lead to new military exercises by China, similar to those conducted in May in response to Lai’s inauguration speech. The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, which oversees the region including Taiwan, released a propaganda video on Sunday titled “fully prepared and waiting for the right moment before the battle.” The video featured military assets and included a depiction of Taiwan, signaling China’s unyielding stance on the unification issue.

Lai and his administration have consistently rejected Beijing’s claims to Taiwan, saying the island’s future can only be determined by its people. Although Lai proposed dialogue with Beijing, these offers were consistently declined.

China’s Defense Ministry could not be reached for comment outside of office hours today, and the Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The situation remains tense, with the Taiwanese military on alert for any developments.

Reuters contributed to this article.

This article was generated and translated with the help of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information, see our T&Cs.

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