A Chinese aircraft carrier group is heading to southern Taiwan, according to the island’s defence ministry. China’s military released a video saying it is “prepared” for battle as the country stands in the middle of its annual exercise season.
The Taiwanese defence ministry said: “China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier group has entered waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely to proceed into the western Pacific.” The island “remains on alert, prepared to respond as necessary,” the statement added.
On Sunday, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command posted a video on its social media accounts titled “Fully prepared and biding ones time before battle.” The video features joint action by fighter jets and warships, mobile rocket launchers and landing vehicles moving into position, and a small map of Taiwan included in one of the Chinese characters that make up the video’s title.
In his National Day programme speech last week, Lai Ching-te said the People’s Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but the island was willing to work with Beijing co-operate with Beijing in various fields. The tone, however, drew China’s wrath.
China has stepped up military activity around the island in recent years, sending warplanes and other warplanes there, while Chinese ships maintain an almost constant presence around its waters. In addition to the increased military presence, China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday threatened Taiwan with increased trade sanctions, which the government views as economic coercion by China.
