Taiwan says Chinese carrier group in western Pacific for training
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China's aircraft carrier Shandong in Pacific Ocean waters in April.
PHOTO: AFP / JAPAN'S MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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TAIPEI - A Chinese naval formation led by the aircraft carrier Shandong passed 60 nautical miles to Taiwan's south-east on Monday and entered the western Pacific for training, the island's Defence Ministry said.
The ministry said that beginning at 5.40am, it also spotted 11 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, in Taiwan's air defence identification zone and that its forces had made an "appropriate response".
The Shandong, commissioned in 2019, participated in Chinese military drills around Taiwan in April,
It also sailed through the Taiwan Strait in June.
A US and a Canadian warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday, marking the second such joint mission since June and coinciding with the leaders of both countries attending the Group of 20 summit in India.
China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control,
Taiwan strongly disputes Beijing's sovereignty claims. REUTERS
