TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan’s defense ministry said China’s sole aircraft carrier on Wednesday was transiting the Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions between the mainland and self-governing island it claims as its own territory.
A ministry statement said the Liaoning was traveling northwest along the center line dividing the strait, along with its battle group.
It said the military was closely monitoring the vessels’ passage and urged the public not to be alarmed. Taiwan regularly dispatches planes and ships to keep a watchful eye on Chinese forces’ movements around the island, although the ministry statement gave no details about the military’s response.
The heavily trafficked 160 kilometer- (100 mile-) wide Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from southeastern China.
The carrier was on its way back from its first journey to the Western Pacific, where it carried out a training exercise.