Taiwan on High Alert as Chinese Aircraft Carrier Group Detected to the South

Taiwan announced it was on high alert after detecting a Chinese aircraft carrier group to its south on Sunday, shortly following a U.S. warning to Beijing against engaging in provocative actions toward the self-governed island.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned China not to respond aggressively to a speech given by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te during the island’s National Day celebrations. In recent years, China has escalated its military activities around Taiwan, regularly sending warplanes and other aircraft while its ships maintain a persistent presence near the island’s waters.

Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed on Sunday that the Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier group had entered the Bashi Channel, a waterway that separates Taiwan from the Philippines, and was “likely to proceed into the western Pacific.” The ministry emphasized that Taiwan’s military is closely monitoring the situation using joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, and remains ready to respond if necessary.

On the same day, China’s military released a video proclaiming its readiness for combat, which included a small map of Taiwan in the title. The footage, shared on the social media channels of the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, showcased missiles, jets, helicopters, and warships, and declared that China’s forces were “ready for battle at any time.”

Taiwan and U.S. officials had previously warned of potential Chinese military drills in reaction to Lai’s speech. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s most significant supporter and primary supplier of weapons, though it does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.

Lai, who assumed office in May, has taken a firmer stance than his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, in defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, which has angered Beijing, labeling him a “separatist.” In his National Day speech, Lai pledged to “resist annexation” and reaffirmed that Beijing and Taipei are “not subordinate to each other.”

Following Lai’s remarks, China warned that his “provocations” would bring disaster to the people of Taiwan. Taiwan’s National Day on Thursday commemorated the 113th anniversary of the overthrow of China’s Qing dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China, which remains Taiwan’s official name.

The ongoing tension between China and Taiwan stems from a civil war in which Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces were defeated by Mao Zedong’s communists, leading to the nationalists fleeing to Taiwan in 1949. The Democratic Progressive Party, led by Lai, has long supported Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy, while Beijing has worked to marginalize Taipei on the global stage by blocking its participation in international forums and drawing away its diplomatic allies.

In the past two years, China has held three large-scale military exercises, deploying aircraft and ships to surround Taiwan. On Sunday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that 11 Chinese military aircraft and eight navy vessels were detected near the island in the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 a.m.