A Canadian warship recently sailed through the disputed Taiwan Strait alongside a U.S. Navy destroyer as part of a joint exercise with allied naval forces. This action was taken to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the international status of the waterway in response to China’s territorial claims. The 17-hour crossing by the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate, HMCS Ottawa, and the USS Ralph Johnson was closely monitored by Chinese warships.
Commanding Officer Sam Patchell stated that their presence in the Taiwan Strait was intended to signal a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This freedom-of-navigation exercise aimed to showcase the commitment of both countries to maintaining open maritime routes.
It is worth noting that additional Canadian frigates, HMCS Vancouver and MV Asterix, also participated in joint exercises with U.S. Navy and Coast Guard forces and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in August. These exercises were part of the Noble Chinook operation, as reported by the U.S. Navy.
The Taiwan Strait has gained international attention due to China’s assertiveness in the region and unilateral territorial claims over Taiwan. The surrounding nations closely monitor the situation as they heavily rely on the waterway for trade. According to CBC, an estimated $4.6 trillion in cargo passes through the Taiwan Strait each year, accounting for a third of global trade.
In addition to the Taiwan Strait, China has also made territorial claims over the South China Sea, where the Canadian warship is currently navigating. The Chinese embassy in Canada criticized the country for conducting military exercises in the South China Sea and sailing military vessels through the Taiwan Strait. However, China has not officially responded to the recent passage of the Taiwan Strait by the Canadian and American navies.
Prior to this event, the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Montreal participated in a joint military exercise in the East China Sea alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia. This exercise concluded on June 5.