China Condemns Canadian Warship’s Passage Through Taiwan Strait
BEIJING – China’s military has strongly condemned the recent passage of a Canadian warship through the Taiwan Strait, stating that its naval and air forces monitored and warned the vessel. The move comes just days after similar maneuvers by U.S. Navy ships.
According to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command, Canada’s actions “deliberately stirred up trouble” and threatened peace and stability in the region. “Theatre forces maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely counter all threats and provocations,” the statement added.
Read More: Pakistan Navy Deploys Warship to Protect Indian Ocean Shipping
Both China and Taiwan identified the vessel as the Ottawa. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed that the ship sailed northward through the strait, while Taiwanese forces remained on high alert. Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed Canada’s move, stating that it reaffirmed the country’s commitment to “freedom, peace, and openness” in the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan Strait, a crucial strategic waterway, is considered international waters by the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, and Taiwan. However, China claims sovereignty over it, arguing that foreign military activity threatens regional stability.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has repeatedly raised concerns about China’s growing military presence near the island. The country’s defense ministry reported 41 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels operating near Taiwan within the last 24 hours, primarily around the strait and Taiwan’s southwest coast.
The passage of Canadian and U.S. warships through the strait comes amid rising tensions between China, Taiwan, and Western allies. Last October, a joint U.S.-Canada mission also sailed through the region, shortly after China conducted military drills near Taiwan.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s people can decide their future.
