Canadian Warship Transits Taiwan Strait Amid Tensions

Tensions have escalated between China and Canada following the recent transit of the Canadian frigate HMCS Montreal through the Taiwan Strait, which China claims destabilizes the region. Chinese military spokespersons indicated that their forces remain on high alert in response to perceived provocations. Concurrently, another Canadian warship, HMCS Regina, monitored China's Xue Long 2 icebreaker in the Bering Strait, an action that the Canadian government only disclosed after media inquiries. The HMCS Regina's operation coincided with Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly's visit to Beijing, aimed at thawing relations strained since the 2018 imprisonment of two Canadians. Canada's Defence Minister Bill Blair highlighted that these naval activities are part of a broader strategy to enhance Canada's presence in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing a commitment to a 'free, open and inclusive' region.