China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed through the Taiwan Strait on April 20, according to Taiwan’s defence ministry, which said it kept close and continuous surveillance during the transit. Taipei also released an image showing aircraft on the carrier’s deck. It was the first reported passage by a Chinese carrier since mid-December, when the Fujian used the same route.
A sharper signal in the strait
The transit came as China maintained steady military pressure around Taiwan. Beijing says it has sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, but Taipei and Washington reject that claim and view it as international waters. On April 18, China also said it had monitored a Japanese warship in the strait and called the move a deliberate provocation, showing how politically charged this corridor has become.
Balikatan widens the military picture
On the same day, the Philippines and the United States opened Balikatan 2026, which runs until May 8 and includes more than 17,000 troops, among them about 10,000 Americans. For the first time, maritime strike drills are planned on Itbayat, about 155 km from Taiwan, while Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand joined as active participants. Philippine armed forces chief Romeo Brawner said the drills would test readiness in real-world conditions. Taken together, the Liaoning transit and Balikatan show a more crowded and more tense maritime theatre around Taiwan.
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