China condemns sailing of Canadian warship in Taiwan Strait

17/2/2025 11:33

China's military on Monday condemned the sailing of a Canadian warship in the Taiwan Strait, saying its air and naval forces had monitored and warned the ship, a mission that came just a few days after U.S. Navy ships made a similar mission.



The U.S. Navy, and occasionally ships from allied countries like Canada, Britain and France, transit the strait, which they consider an international waterway, around once a month. Taiwan also considers it an international waterway but China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, says the strategic waterway belongs to it.



The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said in a statement, Canada's actions "deliberately stirred up trouble" and undermined peace and stability in the strait.



It added, "Theatre forces maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely counter all threats and provocations."



Both the Chinese and Taiwanese governments identified the ship as the Ottawa.



Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that the ship had sailed in a northerly direction, adding that Taiwanese forces also kept watch.



Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the sailing.