The Shandong carrier group passed through the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea for maneuvers, the day after US warships crossed the area.

Taiwan's defense agency said on December 20 that the PLAN's Shandong aircraft carrier (PLAN) departed from the country's northern Dalian port on December 17 and moved south under the protection.

After passing through the Taiwan Strait yesterday, the group of Chinese aircraft carriers continued their journey south.

"The armed forces are capable of ensuring security, protecting peace and stability in the region," the agency said in a statement.

The Chinese naval spokesman later said the group of Shandong aircraft carriers crossed the Taiwan Strait to prepare for maneuvers in the South China Sea.

The move came just a day after the American destroyer USS Mustin crossed the Taiwan Strait, prompting the PLAAF and navy to follow suit.

The location of the Taiwan Strait is between the Taiwanese island and mainland China.

Shandong was China's first domestic aircraft carrier, and was commissioned a year ago.

Information about the Shandong ship's arrival in the South China Sea came a few days after the ship finished its third maritime test.

China considers Taiwan a part of territory, willing to use force to unify if necessary and asserted that crossing the strait is a violation of sovereignty, while the US and many countries see this route as waters.

Beijing has recently increased pressure on Taipei, repeatedly holding large-scale exercises around the island of Taiwan with the most modern equipment in service.