After a USA Navy ship, a Canadian warship has also crossed the Taiwan Strait, which has angered China. The Chinese military has stated that its air and naval forces are monitoring the ship have issued a warning.
Naval ships from the USA Navy, occasionally from allied countries like Canada, the UK, France, cross the Taiwan Strait once a month, as they consider it an international waterway. Taiwan also regards it as an international waterway, but China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, therefore, views the strategic waterway as its own.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command issued a statement saying Canada’s actions were “deliberately stirring up trouble” and undermining peace and stability in the Strait.
The statement further said that the theater forces maintain a high level of alertness at all times and firmly respond to any threats and provocations.
The Canadian military did not immediately comment on the issue.
Both China and Taiwan identified the ship as being from Ottawa. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated on Sunday (February 16) that the ship was heading north, Taiwan’s forces were also monitoring it.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the passage, stating in a statement that Canada has once again taken firm steps to protect the independence, peace, openness of the Taiwan Strait and demonstrated its strong stance that the Taiwan Strait is an international waterway.
LND/SAKIB
