Tensions Rise as Canada Joins U.S. in Challenging China’s Territorial Claims
On Monday, China’s military strongly condemned the passage of a Canadian warship through the Taiwan Strait, stating that its air and naval forces had been monitoring the ship and issued warnings. This action came just days after U.S. Navy ships carried out a similar operation in the strait.
The Taiwan Strait is often traversed by U.S. Navy vessels, as well as ships from allied nations like Canada, the UK, and France, who regard it as an international waterway. While Taiwan also considers it international, China, which claims Taiwan as its own, insists that the strait is under its sovereignty.
The Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army accused Canada of “deliberately provoking” tensions and undermining peace in the region. The command asserted that its forces remain on constant alert and are prepared to confront any threats or provocations.
The Canadian military did not immediately respond to the criticism.
Both China and Taiwan identified the ship as the Ottawa. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated that the warship had been moving in a northerly direction, and Taiwanese forces had kept a close watch on its movements.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed approval of Canada’s actions, noting that Canada had once again taken significant steps to protect the freedom and peace of the Taiwan Strait, reaffirming that the strait is international waters.
Taiwan has voiced concerns over the increasing frequency of Chinese military activity near its shores. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, in the past 24 hours, 41 Chinese military aircraft and nine ships had been detected near the island, especially in the strait and to the southwest of Taiwan.
This event follows a similar incident in October when a U.S. and Canadian warship sailed through the strait, shortly after China conducted a fresh round of military exercises near Taiwan.
Taiwan’s government, which is democratically elected, continues to reject Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island, maintaining that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.
