Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported on Wednesday that a Chinese aircraft carrier group had sailed in the Taiwan Strait. The group was heading north after it passed through the waters near Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands.

The Ministry of Defense said that the Chinese vessels, led by Liaoning - the oldest aircraft carrier in China - were seen on Tuesday night and its forces watched the fleet. The Pratas is at the northernmost end of the South China Sea.

The Chinese Ministry of Defence did not respond to calls outside office hours seeking comment.

Liaoning has been involved in Chinese

war games

Last week, Beijing claimed Taiwan as its territory, despite the protests of the Taipei government.

Taiwan claimed at the time the Liaoning was operating off the southeast coast of the island during these drills and launching aircraft from its deck.

Japan announced last month that the same airline had entered

Japan's adjacent waters

First time. (Reporting and editing by Chris Reese, Stephen Coates and Ben Blanchard)

(source: Reuters)