Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/01/12
By: Lu Hsin-hui

Taipei, Jan. 12 (CNA) The Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, completed its passage through the Taiwan Strait at 6:30 a.m. Thursday and continued its way back to China, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Although the passage of the Liaoning and its Chinese naval escorts was not expected to start a crisis between the two rivals, the MND has been on alert and President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who is visiting Central America, has stayed apprised of the latest situation.

The passage, which began early Wednesday, was seen by many as sabre-rattling on the Chinese side as the relations across the Taiwan Strait became strained when Tsai of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party took power last May.

In a press release, the MND said the Liaoning was on its way back to China. The aircraft carrier had reportedly conducted training exercises in the South China Sea earlier.    [FULL  STORY]