Julia Christine Botin

China deploys Shandong aircraft carrier group near Taiwan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jUETBlQ5ih0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/>TAIPEI - China has deployed its Shandong aircraft carrier group and other vessels around Taiwan, the island&#x27;s defence ministry said Tuesday after Beijing announced military exercises to surround the self-ruled island.</div><p>Taiwan has dispatched its own aircraft and ships, and deployed land-based missile systems, in response to the drills, the ministry said.</p><p>The ministry has been &quot;closely monitoring the movements of the Chinese Shandong aircraft carrier group and other aircraft and vessels that entered Taiwan&#x27;s response zone yesterday&quot;, it said in a statement.</p><p>Taiwan detected 19 Chinese warships around the island in the 24 hours to 6:00 am (2200 GMT Monday), the ministry said in a separate statement.</p><p>China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to bring the island under its control.</p><p>There have been several rounds of drills staged by China since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024.</p><p>Chinese leaders loathe Lai, who they have branded a &quot;separatist&quot;. Lai last month called China a &quot;foreign hostile force&quot;.</p><p>joy/amj/rsc</p><p>© Agence France-Presse</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dk6TDZqN9Dw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>China has deployed its Shandong aircraft carrier group and other vessels around Taiwan, the island's defence ministry said Tuesday after Beijing announced military exercises to surround the self-ruled island.</p>

China has deployed its Shandong aircraft carrier group and other vessels around Taiwan, the island's defence ministry said Tuesday after Beijing announced military exercises to surround the self-ruled island.