By Zoila Palma: Taiwan has warned of an increased Chinese military presence across waters stretching from southern Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines, after identifying more than 50 Chinese navy and other official vessels operating in the region.
Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said the simultaneous presence of Chinese vessels near the three territories raised concerns about regional security, Reuters report.
In a map shared on social media platform X on Wednesday, Wu identified 53 vessels, including 34 naval warships and the aircraft carrier Liaoning.
According to the map, the Liaoning and its accompanying battle group were positioned east of the Philippines, while other Chinese naval formations were operating off Taiwan’s eastern and southeastern coasts.
Three additional formations were reported near the southern coast of Japan. Taiwan’s government says it is increasing efforts to document and publicly share information about Chinese naval and Coast Guard movements as tensions rise across the region.
China’s Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said Thursday that the Liaoning’s operations in the western Pacific were part of routine annual training intended to test its long-range, open-ocean combat capabilities and were not directed at any specific country.
Japan’s Defence Ministry also reported tracking three Chinese warships and a Coast Guard vessel passing through the Osumi Strait near Kyushu island before entering the Pacific. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo expressed concern that military activities could undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The developments come amid worsening relations between China, Japan and the Philippines over regional security and territorial disputes.
The post International News: Taiwan warns of Chinese naval presence across Western Pacific appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Taiwan has warned of an increased Chinese military presence across waters stretching from southern Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines, after identifying more than 50 Chinese navy and other official vessels operating in the region. Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said the simultaneous presence of Chinese vessels near the
The post International News: Taiwan warns of Chinese naval presence across Western Pacific appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.