TAIPEI, Taiwan — A Canadian and an Australian warship transited the Taiwan Strait on Friday, just one day after Beijing accused both countries of fueling tensions with joint naval drills in the South China Sea.
What happened?
According to ship-tracking data, the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and the Australian guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane entered the disputed waterway early Saturday morning local time. While Canada’s Department of National Defence did not confirm the transit, officials in Ottawa said a formal statement would be issued later Saturday.
The move follows freedom of navigation exercises held earlier this week off the Philippines with forces from Canada, Australia, and the United States.
China’s response
Beijing reacted sharply to the drills. Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theater Command, accused the Philippines of colluding with Western allies to destabilize the region.
“Any attempt to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and create tensions is doomed to fail,” Tian warned, stressing that China’s forces would remain on high alert to defend its “territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.”
China has not yet formally addressed Friday’s transit through the Taiwan Strait. However, state-run media outlet Global Times reported that the PLA maintained full surveillance throughout and declared the situation “fully under control.”
Why it matters
The Taiwan Strait, which separates democratic Taiwan from mainland China, remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in Asia. The United States conducts nearly weekly passages, with allies such as Canada, Britain, and France occasionally joining to emphasize that they view the strait as an international waterway.
China, however, claims Taiwan and insists the strait falls within its territorial waters — a position rejected by Taiwan and most Western nations.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific push
The HMCS Ville de Québec, carrying 240 crew members and an RCAF Cyclone helicopter, deployed to the Indo-Pacific in April under Operation HORIZON, part of Canada’s strategy to reinforce a “free, open, and inclusive” region.
Earlier this year, another Canadian vessel, HMCS Montreal, also transited the Taiwan Strait, prompting Beijing to issue a similar denunciation.
As Canada and Australia deepen cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific, their movements are increasingly drawing China’s scrutiny — setting the stage for further friction in the months ahead.
