Focus Taiwan
Date: 12/20/2020
By: Emerson Lim

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) China's first indigenous aircraft carrier, the Shandong, transited through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday, prompting Taiwan to dispatch military assets to monitor the voyage, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The Shandong embarked on its journey from the Chinese port of Dalian along with four escort ships on Dec. 17 and continued to sail south after passing through the strait, the MND said in a statement Sunday.

"Taiwan's military monitored the Chinese ships during their transit, mobilizing six Navy ships and eight Air Force planes," the MND said, insisting that Taiwan's military was capable of safeguarding the country and maintaining stability in the region.

According to MND data, this was the Shandong's second transit through the strait. The first one came on Dec. 26, 2019.    [FULL  STORY]