Chinese aircraft carrier enters the East Sea
A Chinese aircraft carrier-led warship group has entered the South China Sea after passing south of Taiwan. Meanwhile, the US passed a defense bill that mentions the possibility of high-level military exchanges with Taiwan.
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| Liaoning - China's first aircraft carrier. |
Taiwan's defense ministry said yesterday that the Liaoning aircraft carrier, escorted by five warships, passed through the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands and headed southwest. Earlier, the group of ships passed through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines. "Being cautious and flexible is always the way to maintain air security," said Taiwan defense ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi. But Chen declined to answer questions about whether the island's government had sent fighter jets or submarines to monitor the situation.
Chen said Taiwan is continuing to “monitor and grasp the situation.” On December 26, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced that Japan is also closely monitoring the Chinese aircraft carrier’s exercises in the region, NHK reported. “This is the first time the Japan Self-Defense Forces have confirmed that a Chinese aircraft carrier has entered the Pacific Ocean. We are on high alert because this shows that the Chinese Navy has stronger capabilities than before,” Suga said.
Taiwanese lawmaker Johny Chiang said China's deployment of the Liaoning was intended to send a signal to the United States that it had broken the "first island chain," which includes Japan's Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said people should not say too much about the Liaoning because it was moving in accordance with the law. "Our Liaoning should enjoy the rights in accordance with the freedom of navigation and overflight provided for by international law, and we hope all parties respect China's rights," Hua said at a regular press conference.
The drills show that the Liaoning is improving its combat capabilities and should venture further out to sea, according to an editorial in the Communist Party’s Global Times. “The Chinese fleet will soon reach the Eastern Pacific. When the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet appears off the coast of the United States one day, it will make people think a lot about maritime rules,” the editorial said.
Chinareact to the US
China has just voiced its opposition to the US President Barack Obama signing into law the US defense policy bill, which includes a plan to implement high-level military exchanges with Taiwan. Part of the $618.7 billion National Defense Authorization Act reflects the US Congress's desire that the Pentagon implement a high-level military exchange program between the US and Taiwan. Previously, US President-elect Donald Trump made a number of moves that angered China, such as a phone call with Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen, and statements implying that he might abandon the "One China" policy...
On December 25, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that part of the US National Defense Authorization Act interfered in China's internal affairs and China did not accept it. "We urge the US side to abide by its promise to China on the Taiwan issue, stop US-Taiwan military contacts and stop arms sales to Taiwan, so as to avoid harming China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
China tests aircraftnew generation stealth combat China has tested a new generation of stealth fighter jets, state media reported yesterday, as Beijing seeks to end the West's monopoly on fifth-generation fighter jets. The J-31, now renamed the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, took to the skies for the first time over the weekend, China Daily reported. The twin-engine fifth-generation aircraft is seen as a rival to the US-made F-35. The FC-31 has better stealth capabilities, a heavier payload and a more advanced electrical system than the version tested in November 2012, China Daily quoted Chinese aviation expert Wu Peixint as saying. "Changes to the airframe, wings and vertical tail make the aircraft lighter, more compact and easier to control," Wu said. The FC-31 Gyrfalcon, manufactured by Shenyang Aviation Industry Corporation of China, is expected to sell for around $70 million. |
According to TPO
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