Taiwan calls out China as the main source of regional unease

Chinese carrier group

China's armed forces operate almost daily around Taiwan, and on Tuesday its navy said that a carrier task group, led by the Liaoning, had been sent to the "relevant waters" of the Western Pacific, though it did not give an exact location.

The ships will carry out live firing and other drills to, "test and enhance the realistic combat training capabilities of the forces", it said in a statement.

"This is a routine training organised in accordance with the annual plan, which aims to enhance the military's capability to fulfil its missions, and is fully in compliance with international law and practice."

Cho reiterated that the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name, is a "sovereign and independent country", and again called for talks. "We still hope for healthy and orderly exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and for dialogue based on equality and dignity. This has been our consistent principle."