Taiwan's defence ministry confirmed on Monday that the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed through the Taiwan Strait, marking the first such transit by a vessel of this type since late last year. The move occurs amidst escalating regional tensions, with Beijing consistently asserting its territorial claim over Taiwan, which it views as part of its sovereign territory.
Taiwan Maintains Vigilant Surveillance
In a concise statement, the ministry detailed that Taiwan's armed forces conducted "close and continuous surveillance throughout" the carrier's passage. Accompanying the announcement was a black-and-white image released by the ministry, depicting the Liaoning with several fighter jets and helicopters visible on its deck, though no additional operational specifics were disclosed.
China's defence ministry has not yet issued any comment regarding this incident. The previous reported instance of a Chinese carrier navigating the strait was in mid-December, when the Fujian, China's most advanced aircraft carrier, undertook a similar journey.
Historical Context and Regional Dynamics
The Liaoning, operational since 2012, is the oldest among China's three active aircraft carriers. In early December, the same vessel conducted military exercises in waters proximate to Japan's southwestern island chain, underscoring its strategic deployment in the region.
China maintains that it possesses exclusive sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, a stance firmly rejected by both Taipei and Washington, which assert the strait constitutes international waters. The US Navy routinely dispatches warships through the strait every few months, occasionally joined by vessels from allied nations.
Recent Provocations and Diplomatic Statements
On Friday, China reported monitoring a Japanese warship's transit through the strait, labelling the manoeuvre "a deliberate provocation." This incident follows a rare meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun, during which Xi emphasised that China would "absolutely not tolerate" any moves towards independence for the self-governed island.
Xi reiterated his call for the "reunification" of Taiwan with the mainland, stating, "Compatriots on both sides of the strait are all Chinese, people of one family who want peace, development, exchange, and cooperation." He added that both the mainland and Taiwan belong to "one China," warning that "Taiwan independence is the chief culprit in undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait."
Ongoing Military and Political Pressure
Despite Taiwan operating under its own democratically elected government, China claims sovereignty over the island and has repeatedly threatened to achieve reunification by force if deemed necessary. In recent years, Beijing has significantly intensified both military and political pressure against Taiwan, conducting frequent aerial and naval patrols in the vicinity.
The transit of the Liaoning through the Taiwan Strait exemplifies this sustained campaign, which Taipei interprets as a deliberate strategy to exert pressure on its administration. The situation remains a focal point of international concern, with regional stability hanging in the balance as both sides continue to assert their respective positions.
