China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, navigated the Taiwan Strait on Friday, according to the Chinese navy. The strait separates mainland China from taiwan, an island over which Beijing asserts its control.

While the transit could be interpreted as a signal to the U.S. and other nations supporting Taiwan, China has downplayed any such intentions.

The Fujian, currently undergoing sea trials before its official commissioning, is en route to the South China Sea for training exercises and scientific research, the navy stated in a social media declaration.

According to the Navy, these activities are not aimed at any specific entity. An expert, cited by a state-affiliated social media account, suggested that the Taiwan strait represents the most logical and efficient route for the carrier to reach the South China Sea.

The social media post by the Yuyuantantian account noted that this was the first instance of the Fujian traversing the strait.

U.S. Response and Regional Tensions

“The Taiwan Strait was the normal and most reasonable and efficient route for the carrier to reach the South china Sea.”

The U.S. Navy, along with some of its allies, regularly deploys warships through the strait. these actions serve as a deterrent to Beijing against using force to assert its claims over Taiwan.

Taiwan and China have been divided since the Chinese Civil War concluded in 1949, leading to a Communist government in mainland China. The Nationalist government, defeated in the war, relocated to Taiwan and established its own governing body.

While the U.S. does not formally recognize the Taiwanese government, it supplies the island with defence weaponry.U.S. policy dictates that any resolution between China and Taiwan must be peaceful, without the use of military force.

Recent Naval Activity

Last week, China’s military announced a state of high alert following the passage of the Canadian frigate Quebec and the Australian destroyer Brisbane through the strait. China accused the warships of provocative actions that increased security risks.

Japan’s military reported spotting the Fujian for the first time on Thursday afternoon.

The Fujian, accompanied by two guided-missile destroyers, was sailing southwest approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the disputed Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu islands in China. Both Japan and China lay claim to this remote, uninhabited territory.

At the time of the sighting, the carrier was heading towards the Taiwan Strait.