 |
China Warns Canadian and Australian Warships Over Taiwan Strait Passage
A ship sails between wind
turbines in the Taiwan strait off the coast of Pingtan Island, Fujian province,
China, April 10, 2023. — ReutersChina’s military said on Saturday that its
forces had followed and warned a Canadian and an Australian warship, which were
sailing through the...
China’s military announced on Saturday
that its forces had closely monitored and issued warnings to a Canadian
frigate and an Australian guided-missile destroyer as they sailed
through the Taiwan Strait, labeling the transit a “provocation.”
According to a statement from the People's
Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command, the Canadian vessel Ville de
Quebec and the Australian warship Brisbane were engaged in what
Beijing described as “trouble-making and provocation.” The command said both
ships were tracked by Chinese air and naval units, which “effectively
responded” to the passage.
“The actions of the Canadians and
Australians send the wrong signals and increase security risks in the region,”
the PLA added.
Neither the Canadian nor the Australian armed forces immediately commented on the incident. However, China’s state-backed Global Times had reported on the joint mission earlier in the day.
Rising Tensions in
the Taiwan Strait
Taiwan’s defense ministry, which
routinely monitors activity in the strait, confirmed it had been closely
tracking the movements. The ministry said it deployed “appropriate air and
naval forces to ensure security and stability” of the vital waterway.
The Taiwan Strait remains one of
the most sensitive flashpoints in global geopolitics. While the United
States Navy and its allies—including Canada, Britain, France, and
occasionally Australia—consider the strait to be international waters
and conduct regular transits, Beijing strongly rejects that view.
China, which claims Taiwan as its
territory despite Taipei’s firm opposition, has significantly increased the
presence of fighter jets and naval vessels in the region over recent
years. These maneuvers are widely seen as attempts to reinforce its sovereignty
claims and to deter foreign military presence.
In June, China also criticized the United Kingdom for sending a patrol vessel through the Taiwan Strait, accusing London of undermining “peace and stability.”
The latest confrontation underscores
the growing friction between Beijing and Western allies, particularly as they
seek to assert freedom of navigation in contested waters. With both Canada and
Australia now joining the list of countries challenging China’s stance,
tensions in the strait appear set to remain high.