Taiwan on high alert as Chinese carrier nears island

The Taiwanese army was on combat readiness alert on Sunday due to the presence of a Chinese aircraft carrier detected south of the island, as announced by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense in an official press release.

"The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning entered the waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely heading toward the western Pacific," the ministry stated.

The statement added that "the army remains on alert, ready to respond if necessary."

Earlier on Sunday, the Chinese army's Eastern Theater Command, which is responsible for the area including Taiwan, released a propaganda video on its social media accounts titled "Fully prepared and waiting for the time before battle."

Last Thursday, the ministry observed the presence of 27 air units and 14 naval units from the Chinese People's Liberation Army near Taiwan.

China has not ruled out the possibility of using military force to regain control over Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory. Over the past two years, China has conducted three large-scale military exercises, employing its air force and navy to encircle the island.

The leader of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has not ruled out the possibility of military intervention. According to him, "the reunification of the homeland is inevitable" and is necessary for the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," which he advocates.