China Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Taiwan Strait... Backlash Against Tsai Ing-wen-McCarthy Meeting

Taiwan Ministry of National Defense: "Chinese Ship Shandong Enters Taiwan Strait"
China: "Joint Patrol Operations Begin in Taiwan Strait Area"

Amidst Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States and her meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, China has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Taiwan Strait, escalating military tensions. China claims this is part of joint patrol exercises in the Taiwan Strait area, but it is interpreted as a show of force expressing strong displeasure over the meeting between President Tsai and Speaker McCarthy.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 5th (local time), President Tsai met with Speaker McCarthy at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Los Angeles (LA), California, for a luncheon conference. About ten House members from both the Republican and Democratic parties, including Democrat Pete Aguilar, participated in the meeting. After exchanging greetings, both sides held a private conference.

Before the meeting between President Tsai and Speaker McCarthy took place, it was reported that a Chinese aircraft carrier passed through the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense stated in a press release that "the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong passed through the Bashi Channel, which lies between Taiwan and the Philippines, and then entered the southeastern waters of Taiwan." It added, "Our navy, air force, and ground radar systems are closely monitoring them."

The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense strongly condemned China, saying, "China continues to send aircraft and vessels to violate the surrounding seas and airspace of Taiwan," and "This not only poses a real threat to our national security but also harms regional security and stability. Such actions are never those of a responsible modern nation."

The Chinese government only stated that joint patrol operations are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait area. On the same day, the Fujian Provincial Maritime Safety Administration announced that joint patrol and inspection operations had begun in the northern part of the Taiwan Strait, and the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) posted three poster images on WeChat, stating, "Chinese soldiers are steadfastly guarding the beautiful mountains and rivers that must not be missed," dismissing it as routine training.

Although China claims these are routine exercises, the passage of the aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait area around the time of the meeting between President Tsai and Speaker McCarthy is interpreted as a show of military force expressing strong displeasure toward the Taiwanese and U.S. governments.

Meanwhile, President Tsai arrived in LA on the afternoon of the 4th after visiting Guatemala and Belize in Central America, and met with Speaker McCarthy on the same day. President Tsai is scheduled to return to Taiwan on the 7th.