A Canadian warship recently transited the Taiwan Strait, an action Ottawa described as a commitment to an open Indo-Pacific. This move, made by the HMCS Montreal frigate on July 31, has drawn a sharp rebuke from China, which claims the naval exercise undermined regional peace.
Canada’s Stance on Indo-Pacific Presence
Canada’s defense ministry stated that the HMCS Montreal conducted a routine transit through the strait, underscoring Canada’s commitment to a “free, open, and inclusive” Indo-Pacific region. Defence Minister Bill Blair highlighted that this action is part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, announced in 2022, which aims to increase the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in the region.
China’s Response to the Transit
Li Xi, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, criticised the passage of the Canadian frigate. He claimed that the transit “harassed and disrupted the situation” and “undermined peace and stability” across the Taiwan Strait. Li also mentioned that Chinese troops remain on high alert, ready to respond to any threats or provocations.
Dispute Over the Taiwan Strait
China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and claims jurisdiction over the nearly 180 km (110 miles) wide waterway dividing Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. However, Taiwan and the United States dispute this, maintaining that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway. US warships and patrol aircraft pass through or over the strait approximately once a month.
Previous Naval Activities
While Canadian naval vessels are less common in the strait, they have participated in joint operations with US forces. In November, the US destroyer USS Rafael Peralta and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa conducted a joint transit. In June, during another joint US-Canada drill, a Chinese warship came within 150 yards (137 meters) of a US destroyer, an incident the Pentagon described as “unsafe.”
Taiwan’s Reaction
Taiwan’s defence ministry reported that the island’s military had full control over the surrounding sea and airspace during the Canadian frigate’s transit from north to south through the strait. They confirmed that the situation remained normal throughout the operation.
With Inputs from Reuters
