A Chinese aircraft carrier has passed through the Taiwan Strait together with its escort ships, moving in northward after passing through the waters near the Taiwanese-controlled Pratas Islands, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said today, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The ministry said the Chinese ships, one of which was the oldest of China's three aircraft carriers – "Liaoning", were spotted last night and his forces tracked them down. The Pratas Islands are located at the northern end of the South China Sea.
Reuters notes that the Chinese Ministry of Defense has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Last week "Liaoning" participated in Chinese military exercises near the island of Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory, despite the strong objections of the government in Taipei.
Taiwan then stated that during these exercises the "Liaoning" was located off the southeast coast of the island and planes took off from its deck.
Last month, Japan reported that the same aircraft carrier had entered Japanese territorial waters for the first time.
/BA/
Source: www.bta.bg