China holding naval drills near Taiwan ‘to safeguard sovereignty’

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

China is holding naval drills involving an aircraft carrier battlegroup near Taiwan it says are aimed at safeguarding Chinese sovereignty, an apparent reference to Beijing’s claim to the self-governed island.

The navy said the exercises involving the Liaoning, one of its two aircraft carriers, are routine and assigned under an annual schedule.