NOURNEWS - The Ministry of Defense of Taiwan announced in a short statement that the chinese aircraft carrier "Shandong" started sailing in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait.

Shandong is the first aircraft carrier built entirely in China and is the largest warship in the country.

On April 10, this Chinese aircraft carrier participated in military exercises held around the island of Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced on Friday, that 21 planes and 11 warships of the Chinese army have been patrolling around the island in the past 24 hours.

China's recent moves can be seen as a reaction to the intensification of the US and its allies' military aids to Taipei.

It was not long ago that Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced that it will soon be equipped with US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System while Taipei has also ordered 66 new F-16 fighter jets.

However, two days earlier, the US Air Force announced that due to complex production challenges, the delivery of F-16 fighters to Taiwan would not take place until 2024.

China views Taiwan as its territorial integrity and its own sovereignty and has warned about the West's support for separatist movements and groups on the island.

The Beijing government says it will do its best to return Taiwan to the mainland through peaceful means, but will not shy away from war if necessary.