Mainland carrier Liaoning and battle group enters Taiwan Strait
Taipei scrambles air force and navy to shadow flotilla until it leaves the region
A flotilla led by the mainland’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has entered the Taiwan Strait en route to Hong Kong in a symbolic show of strength amid worsening relations between Beijing and Taipei.
Taiwan’s military said it immediately scrambled jets and navy ships to shadow the movement of the PLA battle group as soon as it entered the Taiwan Strait on Saturday.
The passage came just three days after the administration of US President Donald Trump approved a US$1.4 billion arms package for Taiwan, despite strong protest by the mainland, which considers the island a renegade Chinese province awaiting reunion with the mainland – by force, if necessary. Beijing has loudly protested against the planned sales, which still needs Congress’ approval in 30 days.
“The Liaoning carrier group ... entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (Adiz) at around 4pm on Saturday, moving southwest along the median line of the Taiwan Strait,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
