The Chinese military claimed that it deployed forces against a Canadian warship, which transited a contested waterway between China and the self-governed island of Taiwan.
Newsweek has reached out to the Canadian Armed Forces for comment by email.
Why It Matters
China has long claimed that it has “sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction” over the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. However, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a state’s sovereignty ends after the 12 nautical miles of its territorial sea.
The United States, as well as its allies, have sent warships to the waterway to assert the freedom of navigation in international waters and to showcase their support for Taiwan, which Communist China considers its territory despite never having governed it.
What To Know
Taiwan first reported Sunday’s transit by HMCS Ottawa, a Canadian frigate, which passed through the Taiwan Strait northward. The island’s defense ministry said it maintained “full control” over the surrounding sea and airspace, while the situation remained normal.
The Chinese military Eastern Theater Command, which likely executes operational control over military matters related to Taiwan, on Monday confirmed the Canadian warship’s movement, claiming that it sent air and naval forces to “monitor and track” the Ottawa.
It also accused Canada of “deliberately provoking disruption” and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to the Eastern Theater Command’s statement.
China deployed 41 aircraft, nine naval vessels, and one government ship around Taiwan in the 24 hours to 6 a.m. on Monday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry announced. It was not immediately clear whether they responded to the Ottawa‘s passage in the waterway.
41 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 28 out of 41 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/L61wjuLVzY
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) February 17, 2025
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry welcomed the Canadian warship’s voyage, praising it as an act to defend the “freedom, peace, and openness” of the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating that the body of water, which links the East and South China Seas, is international waters.
The Ottawa, which has a crew of about 240 members, was deployed last October for conducting missions in the Indo-Pacific region. Prior to the transit in the Taiwan Strait, it took part in an exercise with the American and Philippine forces in the South China Sea.
What People Are Saying
Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese military Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement: “The Chinese [People’s Liberation Army] forces remain on high alert at all times and will resolutely counter any threats and provocations.”
The Canadian Department of National Defense said of frigate HMCS Ottawa‘s Indo-Pacific deployment: “The crew of HMCS Ottawa will showcase the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) operational capabilities while working alongside international allies and partner navies during military training exercises; highlighting Canada’s commitment to international collaboration and fostering military and diplomatic partnerships.”
Sailor 3rd Class Jacob Saunders/Canadian Armed Forces
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “In the face of China’s various intrusions, our government will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, firmly oppose the expansion of authoritarianism, and deepen exchanges and cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly defend the rules-based international order as well as peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.”
What Happens Next
The U.S. and its allied nations are likely to continue to send warships to the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan said this was the sixth time Canada has dispatched a naval vessel to the waterway since the Canadian government announced its Indo-Pacific strategy in November 2022.
