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China’s aircraft carrier the Shandong sails through Taiwan Strait after entering service
- Carrier makes journey through the waters monitored by the Taiwanese military, the island says
- It is the vessel’s first such operation since being commissioned, after it made a similar manoeuvre in November
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China’s first home-built aircraft carrier the Shandong has sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since being commissioned last week, in a move seen as a flexing of military muscle against the self-ruled island ahead of its presidential election.
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The carrier, accompanied by its frigates, transited northwards through the waterway on Thursday, Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement, without saying whether the group was closer to Taiwan or to the Chinese mainland.
“Their entire activities were monitored by our military and we are sure to protect the country’s safety and regional peace and stability,” the Taiwanese statement said.
It was not the first time the vessel had passed through the sensitive waters separating the mainland and the self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims is a breakaway province and has threatened to use military means to bring into its fold. Then known as Type 001A, it passed through the strait on November 17 to conduct “scientific trials and routine training” before heading to the South China Sea.
Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said the transit by the now-commissioned Shandong was meant to send a warning to Taipei, with President Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, seeking re-election in January 11’s elections.
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“The Shandong, together with China’s first aircraft carrier the Liaoning, can form a dual aircraft carrier strike group, and the passage through the Taiwan Strait can reward the group with both intelligence and experience needed for a real combat situation,” Song said.
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