Taiwan Spots Chinese Carrier, China Military Video Says ‘Prepared for Battle’

A Taiwanese flag is seen as Taiwan’s Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team jets fly by during Taiwan’s 113th National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2024. (AFP)
A Taiwanese flag is seen as Taiwan’s Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team jets fly by during Taiwan’s 113th National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2024. (AFP)
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Taiwan Spots Chinese Carrier, China Military Video Says ‘Prepared for Battle’

A Taiwanese flag is seen as Taiwan’s Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team jets fly by during Taiwan’s 113th National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2024. (AFP)
A Taiwanese flag is seen as Taiwan’s Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team jets fly by during Taiwan’s 113th National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2024. (AFP)

Taiwan reported a Chinese aircraft carrier group sailing to the island's south on Sunday, as China's military put out a video saying it was "prepared for battle" amid concerns in Taipei about the possibility of a new round of Chinese war games.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, detests its president Lai Ching-te as a "separatist", and the Chinese military routinely operates around the island.

Last week at his keynote national day speech, Lai said the People's Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but that the island was willing to work with Beijing to combat challenges like climate change, striking both a firm and conciliatory tone, but drawing anger from China.

Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement that a Chinese navy group led by the carrier the Liaoning had entered waters near the Bashi Channel, which connects the South China Sea and the Pacific and separates Taiwan from the Philippines. It said the carrier group was expected to enter the Western Pacific.

Taiwan's armed forces are keeping a close watch on developments and "exercising an appropriate vigilance and response", the ministry added, without elaborating.

Security sources in Taiwan had said before Lai's address that his speech could prompt new Chinese war games, last held by the country in May in what Beijing said was "punishment" for Lai's inauguration speech that month.

Earlier on Sunday, the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, which has responsibility for an area that includes Taiwan, put out a propaganda video on its social media accounts entitled "fully prepared and biding one's time before battle".

It showed fighter jets and warships operating together, mobile missile launchers being moving into place and amphibious assault vehicles, with a small map of Taiwan included in one of the Chinese characters that make up the video's title.

China has not ruled out using force to achieve unification.

China's defense ministry did not answer calls outside of office hours on Sunday. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lai and his government reject Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed.



US Considers Sending Defense System to Israel, Officials Say

 Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
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US Considers Sending Defense System to Israel, Officials Say

 Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Lebanon's southern area of Mahmoudiyeh near the Litani River on October 12, 2024. (AFP)

The Biden administration is considering sending one of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to Israel, US officials said Saturday. A defense official said no final decision has been made.

A US official said there were ongoing discussions late last week about deploying a THAAD to Israel. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The US has a wide range of missile defense systems arrayed across the Middle East and Europe, including Patriot systems.

Officials have been discussing for months what types of air defense systems to deploy to the region and where to put them. Any move of a THAAD to Israel would involve the deployment of soldiers to operate the complex system.

A year ago, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of a THAAD battery and additional Patriot battalions to locations around the Middle East to increase protection of US forces and to aid in the defense of Israel.

According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment and it requires 95 soldiers to operate.

The THAAD is considered a complimentary system to the Patriot, but it can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at ranges of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).