Taiwan stated it detected 24 Chinese language navy plane close to the island on Sunday as a Canadian warship handed by the delicate Taiwan Strait.
It was the primary Canadian naval vessel to transit the waterway this yr, Taiwan’s Overseas Ministry stated, and got here days after two U.S. ships made the passage.
America and its allies frequently go by the 180-km Taiwan Strait to strengthen its standing as a global waterway, angering China.
Beijing has by no means dominated Taiwan, however it claims the democratic island as a part of its territory and has threatened to carry it underneath its management by pressure.
“The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa sailed by the Taiwan Strait on February 16,” Taiwan’s Overseas Ministry stated in a press release.
“Canada has as soon as once more taken concrete motion to uphold the Taiwan Strait’s freedom, peace and openness, demonstrating its agency stance that the strait is worldwide waters,” it added.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stated on Sunday that 24 Chinese language plane, together with fighter jets and drones, have been detected carrying “joint fight readiness patrols” with navy vessels across the island.
Throughout the Canadian warship’s passage, China’s navy radioed the ship and warned it to alter course, Taiwanese media reported.
A US destroyer and an ocean survey ship travelled by the strait beginning on February 10, drawing criticism from China’s navy, which stated it despatched the “improper sign and elevated safety dangers”.
Information revealed by the Taiwan defence ministry confirmed 62 Chinese language navy plane have been detected close to the island within the 48 hours to six:00 am native time on Wednesday, coinciding with the US ships’ transit.
Washington’s newest passage by the Taiwan Strait was the primary time since US President Donald Trump took workplace in January.
It got here after Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated they “opposed any makes an attempt to unilaterally change the established order (within the Taiwan Strait) by pressure or coercion”.
Printed – February 17, 2025 01:47 am IST
