ANKARA

Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported Thursday that it detected China's Liaoning aircraft carrier in its southeastern waters amid reports of possible military exercises.

The ministry said the Liaoning was located southeast of Taiwan, and the military is monitoring its movements, according to the Taipei-based Central News Agency.

Japan's Ministry of Defense noted that the Liaoning carrier group was spotted Tuesday sailing southeast between Okinawa and Miyako Island toward the Western Pacific.

The ministry added that the military has completed operational plans to counter various possible "invasion scenarios."

Taiwan also reported tracking eight Chinese naval vessels and one official ship around the island on Wednesday and Thursday.

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor China’s People’s Liberation Army activity.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 425 times and ships 263 times.

China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas Taipei insists on its independence.

*Writing by Aamir Latif