Chinese Military Warns Canadian and Australian warships After Taiwan Strait Passage
Beijing, China – Chinese forces shadowed and issued warnings to Canadian and Australian warships that recently transited the Taiwan Strait, deeming the passage a deliberate “provocation,” Reuters reported Saturday. The move underscores escalating tensions in the region as international navies increasingly assert freedom of navigation rights.
According to a statement released by the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the activity by the Canadian and Australian vessels “sends the wrong signals, increases security risks, and their ships deliberately create trouble and provoke confrontation.”
Canada’s Armed Forces declined to comment on the deployment plans of its ships. However, they confirmed that the frigate Ville de Québec is currently participating in Operation Horizon, a multinational effort aimed at bolstering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Canadian government also noted the frigate recently conducted operations within the Philippine Economic Zone.The Australian military has yet to respond to a request for comment from Reuters regarding the passage of the missile destroyer Brisbane through the strait.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated it is closely monitoring developments in the Taiwan Strait and has deployed appropriate air and naval assets to maintain security and stability. The ministry highlighted that vessels from allied nations, including the United States (approximately monthly), and less frequently the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, regularly navigate the strait, asserting its status as an international waterway.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of china’s longstanding claim to Taiwan, which it views as a renegade province destined for reunification – by force if necessary. Beijing adheres to a “One China” policy, refusing to recognize Taiwan as an independent political entity. Despite this,Taiwan has functioned de facto independently since 1949,maintaining its own democratically elected government and institutions. China considers the taiwan Strait to be within its territorial waters, a claim vehemently rejected by the Taiwanese government.
