Amid tensions between China and Taiwan, a Chinese aircraft carrier was spotted passing through the Taiwan Strait. This comes after China conducted military exercises in the strait, including live ammunition drills, and a week after large-scale maneuvers around the island.
The Taiwan defense minister, Wellington Koo, stated that they were closely monitoring the passage of the Liaoning aircraft carrier through the strait. This move by China follows a series of military activities aimed at pressuring Taiwan, including naval and aerial exercises.
The strained relationship between Beijing and Taipei dates back to 2016 when Tsai Ing-wen became the president of Taiwan, followed by her successor Lai Ching-te in 2024. China has accused Taiwan of promoting cultural separation from the mainland, leading to increased military presence and exercises in the region.
Recently, China conducted large-scale military drills involving a record number of military aircraft and ships. The Liaoning aircraft carrier sailed close to the Japanese island of Yonaguni, east of Taiwan, before heading back to Qingdao in eastern China for maintenance.
Since the Chinese Communist Party took control in 1949 and the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan, the political divide between the two regions has persisted. China views Taiwan as a part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification.
As tensions escalate, Taiwan has criticized China’s military activities as attempts to intimidate and destabilize the region. The presence of foreign warships, like those from the US and Canada, passing through the Taiwan Strait has further fueled tensions, with China condemning such actions as threats to regional peace and stability.
The ongoing power struggle between China and Taiwan continues to impact regional security and stability. As both sides assert their claims over the Taiwan Strait, the risk of military confrontation remains a concern for the international community. The need for diplomatic dialogue and peaceful resolutions to territorial disputes is crucial in easing tensions and promoting stability in the region.