Chinese Navy Carries Out Rare Deployment Of Shandong Aircraft Carrier Through Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's defence ministry reported on Wednesday that China's Shandong aircraft carrier led a group of warships through the Taiwan Strait. The move is said to be a rare occurrence.

In recent years, Beijing has been increasing sea and air incursions around self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. However, the deployment of the Shandong through the Taiwan Strait is a significant move that has caught the attention of the international community.

On June 21, the Shandong aircraft carrier group passed through the west side of the Taiwan Strait in a southerly direction, according to the statement released by the defence ministry. The move has raised concerns among Taiwan's officials and its allies, who view it as a show of force by China.

The military of Taiwan is closely monitoring territorial air and sea movements and will respond accordingly.

The Chinese fleet's Shandong aircraft carrier last passed through the Strait in May.

Beijing deployed the carrier during war games in April, where fighter jets carrying "live ammunition" conducted simulated strikes around the democratic island.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles prompted Beijing to respond with exercises. Tsai staunchly rejects China's territorial claims over the island.

Before the meeting, Beijing warned that it would take strong countermeasures. Since the meeting, Chinese warships and jets have intensified their presence around Taiwan.

In March 2022, there was a transit through the waterway, just before a phone call between China's Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden.

The carrier had transited in December 2020, a day after a US warship passed through, and in December 2019, weeks before Taiwanese voters went to the polls.