Chinese Military Activity Surges Near Taiwan as Canadian Warship Transits Strait

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain high as Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 24 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island, Al Jazeera reports.

The aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, were reportedly conducting “joint combat readiness patrols” with Chinese military vessels around Taiwan.

This surge in Chinese military activity coincided with the transit of the Canadian frigate HMCS Ottawa through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. According to Taiwanese media reports, China’s military issued a radio warning to the Canadian warship, demanding it change course.

The HMCS Ottawa, a Halifax-class frigate, marked the first Canadian naval vessel to transit the waterway this year, as confirmed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The transit follows a similar passage by two United States ships – a naval destroyer and survey ship – earlier in the week.

The United States and its allies regularly navigate the 180km (112-mile) Taiwan Strait to reinforce its status as an international waterway, a move that consistently draws criticism from China. China’s military condemned the US ships’ transit, stating it sent the “wrong signal and increased security risks.” Data from Taiwan’s Defence Ministry revealed that 62 Chinese military aircraft were detected near the island in the 48 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, coinciding with the US vessels’ passage.

Adding to the complexity, the US Department of State recently made subtle but potentially significant changes to its website regarding Taiwan. A statement indicating the US does not support Taiwan’s independence was removed, and a reference highlighting Taiwan’s cooperation with a Pentagon technology and semiconductor development project was added. Furthermore, the site now states that the US will support Taiwan’s membership in international organisations “where applicable.”

“We oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side,” the updated State Department site reads.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomed the changes, stating they demonstrated a “positive stance on US-Taiwan relations.” While these changes were first reported by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency on Sunday, a similar removal of wording on Taiwan independence occurred in 2022 before being restored a month later, suggesting the fluidity and sensitivity surrounding the issue.

Taiwan’s government firmly rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island, asserting that only the Taiwanese people can determine their future. Taiwan considers itself an independent country called the Republic of China. Beijing, however, views Taiwan as a “core of core interests,” consistently condemning any show of support for Taipei from Washington.