China On High Alert As Us, Canadian Warships Pass Through Taiwan Strait

In a second joint passage within two months, the USS Rafael Peralta, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the Royal Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, raising tensions in the region. China responded by stating that its troops were "on constant high alert" to protect national sovereignty, security, and regional peace. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command, condemned the transit as "public hype" and claimed that China's naval and air forces closely monitored the entire course of the two warships. The United States and its Western allies have been increasing "freedom of navigation" passages through the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, emphasizing their status as international waterways, which has been a source of ongoing friction with Beijing. The US Seventh Fleet defended the passage, stating that it was conducted in accordance with international law, beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state. They emphasized that such cooperation is essential for maintaining a secure and prosperous region in which all nations can operate under international law. While Taiwan's defense ministry reported that it had monitored the passage, it noted that "the situation was normal." China has intensified its military and political pressure on Taiwan in recent years, asserting its claim over the island. In September, China sent 103 aircraft to circle Taiwan within a 24-hour period, which Taiwan described as an alarming escalation in regional tensions. The continued naval passages through the Taiwan Strait indicate that the region remains a focal point of geopolitical contention, with all parties involved closely monitoring the situation.