Taiwan spots Chinese carrier group sailing off its east coast

Taiwan’s defence ministry said on Wednesday it had spotted a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailing through waters off its east coast in the direction of Japan’s southernmost island Yonaguni.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, has been staging regular exercises around the island for five years to pressure it to accept Beijing’s claim of sovereignty, despite Taipei’s strong objections.

The ministry said the Chinese ships, led by the carrier Liaoning, were spotted in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday sailing through waters to the northeast of Taiwan.

The group then sailed to the southeast of the Japanese island of Yonaguni, the ministry said in a statement.

Taiwan tracked the ships and sent its forces to monitor, it said.

China’s defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment.

Yonaguni lies a little more than 100 km (62 miles) to the east of Taiwan and can be seen from the island on a clear.

Liaoning is the oldest of China’s three aircraft carriers.