A U.S. and a Canadian warship transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday night, the U.S. Navy announced, in a move that’s likely to provoke protest from Beijing.
This was the second time in less than two months naval ships from the U.S. and Canada have made such a maneuver, known as a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP).
"Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit November 1 (local time)," said the U.S. 7th Fleet in a statement.
The Yokosuka, Japan-based fleet said that the transit was conducted “through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law.”
“The ships transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State,” it said.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the two vessels “sailed from south to north through the Taiwan Strait last night.”
The ministry said it had full control over the situation which it described as normal.
The 7th Fleet added that the transit of the two ships was “unremarkable, unprovocative, and consistent with international law.”
“Cooperation like this represents the centerpiece of our approach to a secure and prosperous region where aircraft and ships of all nations may fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” it said.
The last time U.S. and Canadian navies conducted a FONOP was on Sept. 9, 2023, with the participation of the USS Ralph Johnson and the HMCS Ottawa.
China's military of defense said Thursday it “followed and monitored” the two ships’ transit and that it remains on high alert to "resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and regional peace and stability".
Beijing has repeatedly protested against such activities, calling them “illegal trespasses” into Chinese waters.
American destroyers have made six Taiwan Strait transits since January and began describing them as “routine.” Canadian warships joined three of them.
The relationship between Ottawa and Beijing has been under strain over a number of issues.
In October Canada accused China’s military of conducting a “dangerous and reckless” interception of a Canadian surveillance aircraft flying over the East China Sea.
Earlier this week Ottawa announced that it will ban the Chinese app WeChat on all government devices, citing security concerns.
Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.