The Chinese military has condemned a transit through the Taiwan Strait by a Canadian warship, saying on Thursday that People’s Liberation Army air and naval forces had monitored the situation.
Naval Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, said its forces remained on alert throughout the HMCS Montreal’s transit on the previous day, which was monitored in accordance with China’s laws and regulations.
In a statement published on the Eastern Theatre Command’s official WeChat account, Li also said the Canadian government had “publicly hyped up” the situation and that its actions “undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
According to the statement, theatre command troops are maintaining “a high test of readiness at all times” and are prepared to respond to any threats of provocations.
Li’s remarks followed an announcement on Wednesday by the Canadian Joint Operations Command that the Montreal had “recently conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait”.
The statement, on social media platform X, did not specify when the transit occurred but said Canada supported the “rules-based international order” and that its activities promoted “peace, resilience and security” in the Indo-Pacific.
Also on Wednesday, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said the Montreal’s transit reaffirmed his country’s commitment to a “free, open and inclusive” Indo-Pacific.
“As outlined in our Indo-Pacific strategy, Canada is increasing the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
The HMCS Montreal is a Halifax-class frigate with a combined crew of around 240 sailors and aviators to fly and support the ship’s fleet of CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, according to publicly available information.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, announced in November 2022, includes investments in training, intelligence and capacity building, as well as expanded military operations, encompassing a greater presence in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
Under the strategy, Ottawa has signed a foreign investment promotion and protection arrangement with Taipei, which it regards as a key trading and investment partner.
The Montreal’s passage through the Taiwan Strait comes just two weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly to Beijing in a bid to mend a diplomatic relationship that has soured in recent years.
Wang told Joly there was “no fundamental conflict of interest” between China and Canada and called for improved ties. He also urged Canada to “seriously reflect” on the strained relationship between the two countries.
Canada-China ties have been going south in recent years, largely since the Canadian arrest in 2018 of a top Huawei Technologies executive in response to a US extradition request, followed by China’s arrest of two Canadian citizens on espionage charges.
Via SCMP