Olivia
February 17, Beijing: China’s military strongly condemned the passage of a Canadian warship through the Taiwan Strait on Monday, stating that its air and naval forces had closely monitored and issued warnings to the vessel. This move comes shortly after U.S. Navy ships conducted a similar operation in the area.
The U.S. Navy, along with occasional ships from allied countries such as Canada, Britain, and France, typically transits the Taiwan Strait once a month. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, asserts that the strategic waterway also belongs to it.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command accused Canada of “deliberately stirring up trouble” and undermining the peace and stability of the region. The statement further emphasized that China’s military forces remain on high alert and are prepared to counter any threats or provocations. The Canadian military declined to comment on the situation.
Both China and Taiwan identified the vessel as the Ottawa. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed on Sunday that the ship had sailed in a northerly direction and that Taiwanese forces were closely monitoring its movements.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed its support for Canada’s actions, stating that Canada’s mission was a clear demonstration of its commitment to defending the freedom, peace, and openness of the Taiwan Strait, asserting that the strait is international waters.
Taiwan has frequently raised concerns over China’s military activities near the island. In its daily update on Monday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 41 Chinese military aircraft and nine ships in the vicinity of the island, particularly in the strait and southwest of Taiwan. Last October, a U.S. and Canadian warship sailed together through the Taiwan Strait, just days after China conducted a series of military drills around the island.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only the island’s people have the right to determine their future.
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Kathy
Stacy
