Taiwan rallied its armed forces to be prepared for combat as a measure against the increasing military threats by China, a day after Beijing's first aircraft carrier sailed near the former's controlled islands across the East China Sea.

Taiwan defense minister Feng Shih-kuan told Taiwan Central News Agency on Tuesday that the "enemy's threats are increasingly expanding" as he gave out strict orders for the military to carry out more training and to focus more on countermeasures in the face of China's threats.

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Feng was referring to China's Liaoning, the aircraft carrier which sailed in Taiwan waters enroute to the Western Pacific last week. Beijing justified its maritime action saying the passage was part of a routine scheduled drill.

Aircraft Carrier

The defense minister said the aircraft carrier strike group was detected sailing near the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha or Prata Islands enroute to China's Hainan island.

"We must always maintain combat preparedness," Feng told the media. He likewise urged all senior military commanders to train with their troops specifically in survival skills while improving their capacity in defeating the enemy.

The military orders come on the heels of the recent US' breaking of the decades-old 'One China' policy after Taiwan president Tsai Lng-wen had a phone call with US president-elect Donald Trump, which angered China.

'One China' Policy

Trump defended his actions saying China was in no position to dictate to him whom he wants to call. He was also vocal about his plans to scrap the "One China" policy unless Beijing would be willing to enter into a bargain of sorts with Washington.

Last week, the Chinese communist party mouthpiece, the Global Times, has called on Beijing to prepare for the use of all-out military force as a means to take control of Taiwan and its people.

In an editorial, the Global Times newspaper strongly encouraged China to take a more aggressive stance in dealing with Taiwan, considered by China as its breakaway province, amid the rising tensions with the United States.

"It might be time for the Chinese mainland to reformulate its Taiwan policy, make the use of force as a main option and carefully prepare for it," the commentary read. 

TagsEast China Sea, Liaoning, Taiwan Straits, Dongsha island, Western Pcific