China’s aircraft carrier Shandong conducted an exercise on Thursday near Taiwan during a high-profile meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, according to Al Jazeera.
As Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrived home after visiting the US House Speaker, the Shandong carrier quickly attracted notice off the East Coast. Al Jazeera claimed that the aircraft carrier was 200 nautical miles (370 km) off Taiwan’s east coast, citing Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng. He then reported that Taiwanese warships were keeping watch over the carrier at a distance of five to six nautical miles.
The exercises take place at the same time as Tsai and McCarthy are visiting California, which Beijing has vehemently condemned. China hasn’t ruled out using force to regain control of the island since it feels Taiwan is its territory.
Importantly, Shandong is the first aircraft carrier constructed entirely in China. According to Al Jazeera, the aircraft carrier and several other Chinese naval ships reached the Pacific on Wednesday by travelling via the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan.
On Wednesday (local time), Tsai Ing-Wen, the president of Taiwan, met McCarthy, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, in California. This was the first time the president of Taiwan and the speaker of the US House had a meeting on US territory.
Once her Vehicle arrived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, both presidents exchanged short handshakes.
Even though China threatened to retaliate, the president of Taiwan met with McCarthy. According to The New York Post, Washington’s current “One China” policy recognises Beijing’s claims but does not support them.
China has consistently expressed objection to the two leaders’ meeting and has expressed its strong disapproval of it.
China sent out six marine ships to the area along the coast of Taiwan before their meeting. According to a statement from China’s Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, Beijing sent a “large size patrol and rescue vessel” on Wednesday evening local time for a three-day “joint patrol and inspection” operation in the central and northern Taiwan Strait.
China has “overreacted,” according to the US State Department, to Taiwan President Tsai’s visit to the US, earlier in March.
The transits of the Taiwan President, according to US Department of State Senior Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel, are consistent with Washington’s long-standing stance.
Vedant Patel’s statement comes after the Chinese spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council stated that China vehemently opposes Tsai Ing-planned wen’s “transit” visit to the US in order to meet with US officials and will take firm countermeasures in such an event, according to CGTN. According to CNN, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen left for Central America on Wednesday for a 10-day trip that would include a stopover in the US.