China sends warships near Taiwan amid rising tension

Kathmandu: China sent warships near Taiwan on Thursday as Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy held meeting.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said Thursday that a Chinese aircraft carrier, anti-submarine helicopter and three warships had been detected around the island.

Taiwanese Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told reporters in the parliament that the Chinese aircraft carrier and warships were 200 nautical miles off Taiwan’s east coast.

“It is training but the timing is quite sensitive, and what it is up to we are still studying,” Chiu said, adding aircraft had yet to be seen taking off from its deck.

He later told lawmakers that Taiwanese warships were monitoring the carrier at a distance of five to six nautical miles.

‘Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities,’ ministry’s statement read.

China has vowed to fight back after Tsai’s visit to USA and meeting with McCarthy.

Despite repeated warnings from China, Tsai held talks with McCarthy in Los Angeles on Wednesday and expressed gratitude for showing support to Taiwan.

‘Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated, and we are not alone,’ Tsai told reporters at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.