China's carrier Fujian crosses Taiwan Strait, Taipei says

Taiwan said on Tuesday that China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, crossed the Taiwan Strait, in a move that Taipei described as closely monitored by its armed forces. The transit was the first use of that route since April, according to Taiwan's defence ministry. The announcement comes amid frequent Chinese military activity around the island, which Taiwan views as part of a sustained pressure campaign.

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Taiwan's defence ministry said the carrier was tracked using joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance methods, but gave no further operational details. It also released a black-and-white overhead image of the ship, although it did not say where or how the picture was taken. China's defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment, according to the supplied report.

The Fujian is described as China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, and the report says it has a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults for launching aircraft. That design makes it potentially more capable than China's first two carriers, which were based on Russian designs. The report also notes that the last time the Fujian sailed through the strait was in mid-December, while the older Liaoning crossed in April.

The transit matters because the Taiwan Strait remains one of the most sensitive military flashpoints in East Asia. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taipei rejects that claim and says it is facing growing and unprecedented pressure. The movement of a major carrier through the strait is likely to be read in Taipei as both a military signal and a political message.

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The supplied report also says China has been sending coast guard vessels along Taiwan's east coast in what Taipei sees as a new tactic to create the impression of Chinese control over surrounding waters. In a speech in Taipei on Tuesday, Chiu Chui-cheng, the minister responsible for mainland affairs, said Taiwan would not accept Beijing's final plan to annex the island. He said Taiwan's determination to defend its sovereignty and democratic system had never been stronger.

What remains unclear is whether the Fujian was conducting a routine transit, a training movement, or another form of operational deployment. The Chinese authorities did not provide a public explanation in the supplied material, and Taiwan did not say how long it would continue monitoring the ship. Further official statements would be needed to clarify the purpose of the crossing and whether any additional military activity follows.

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