The Ministry of Defense announced that the enemy ship had entered sea areas adjacent to the Bashi Channel and was heading towards the Western Pacific.
The tensions in the Taiwanstraße rose this Sunday after the island’s government declared itself on high alert after discovering the presence of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning south of its territory. According to the island’s defense ministry, the ship entered waters near Debt-Canal and is moving toward the western Pacific, a move that caused alarm in the region.
“The Liaoning aircraft carrier group has entered waters near the Bashi Channel and is expected to advance toward the western Pacific“, the ministry said in a statement.
The military agency added that Taiwan‘s armed forces remained “on high alert and ready to respond to any enemy maneuver if necessary.”
The use of Liaoningone of the main advantages of the Chinese navy, represents a clear provocation amid a context of growing aggressiveness on the part of the navy Peking Regime Towards the island.
Taiwanese authorities interpret these types of maneuvers as deliberate intimidation attempts in line with constant Chinese military exercises aimed at undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty.
China is thinking Taiwan as a rebel province and has not ruled out the use of force to reintegrate into its territory, despite the strong opposition of the Taiwanese population and the international support that the island has received, particularly from there United States and Japan.
The US Secretary of State, Antony blinkissued a direct warning to Beijing on Friday, urging it to avoid military action in retaliation for the Taiwanese president’s speech. Lai Ching-teduring the island’s National Day celebrations.
“We would like to emphasize, and many other countries would like to emphasize, that it is imperative to preserve the status quo and that none of the parties take actions that could undermine it,” the US diplomatic chief added.
In his speech, Lai reaffirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty and promised: “Resist any attempt at annexation” from China. This position has infuriated the Chinese regime, which has described the president as “Separatist” and warned that his “provocations” would bring “disaster” to the Taiwanese people.
He also reiterated that “Beijing and Taipei are not subordinate to each other,” which is a clear line against the Chinese regime’s expansionist efforts.
The United States, Taiwan’s biggest ally and arms supplier, has reiterated its commitment to the island’s defense. Although Washington does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, it has increased military cooperation to deter a possible invasion by Beijing.
The national holiday celebrated on Thursday marked the 113th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, the government that sought refuge in Taiwan after defeat in the civil war against Mao Zedong’s communists in 1949.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
Quelle: INFOBAE
