China accuses Canada of ‘provocative actions’ in Taiwan Strait transit

A transit of the Taiwan Strait by Canadian and Australian naval vessels “sent out wrong signals and heightened security risks,” China said Saturday, as Western militaries continue to assert their right to pass through the disputed waters despite repeated protestations by Beijing.

The Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec, accompanied by the Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane, transited the waters separating democratic Taiwan from China’s east coast on Saturday morning, closely followed by Chinese naval and air forces.

In a statement, Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesman for the eastern theatre command of the People’s Liberation Army, called the transit “provocative,” and said his forces “remain on high alert at all times” to “resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty.”

Taiwan’s Ministry