China’s Defense Ministry has confirmed that its aircraft carrier Liaoning, along with destroyers and frigates, had conducted far-sea training, from the Yellow Sea to the borders of the West Pacific, without noting when the drills will conclude. However, on Tuesday, military authorities in Taiwan said the aircraft carrier has sailed towards the island province of Hainan through the South China Sea.

Taiwan media quoted the island’s military head as saying that the Liaoning aircraft carrier has already rounded Taiwan, passing between the islands of Miyako and Okinawa and through the Bashi Channel. The official said the aircraft carrier maintained a southwest course towards Hainan, however, its mission in the Pacific was carried out in a peaceful manner. 

Hua Chunying, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, did not comment on the statement. During a daily briefing on the same day, she responded to a question about the topic by saying “ask the Chinese military for details.” 

China’s Defense Ministry is yet to make a comment.

Over the weekend, China released photos and videos showing its first super carrier during training at sea, and stated that the drills had strengthened the synergy between different vessels and refined its overall capability.

With J-15 carrier-borne fighter jets and helicopters taking off and landing on the deck, it was the first time that Chinese pilots completed such action in complicated conditions. China’s Air Force also conducted long-range drills this month over the East and South China Seas, which the Defense Ministry confirming that the exercises are regular ones and in accordance with annual plans.

The Defense Ministry did not detail more on its naval routine drills, such as how long the exercises would last and what would the aircraft carrier’s destination be at the end of the drills.