China's military said on Saturday that its forces followed and warned two warships, a Canadian and Australian, as they sailed through the Taiwan Strait. It criticized this move as a provocation. The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command stated that the Canadian frigate Ville de Quebec, and the Australian guided missile destroyer Brisbane engaged in "troublemaking and provocation".

It said that the actions of the Canadians, and Australians sent the wrong signals to the security risks.

According to a spokesperson, the Canadian Armed Forces do not comment on sail plan for ships currently deployed.

A spokesperson for the Canadian government said that the Ville de Quebec was deployed in Operation Horizon to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. A Canadian government announcement said that the Ville de Quebec participated in freedom-of-navigation exercises in the Philippine Economic Zone earlier this week.

The Australian Armed Forces did not respond immediately to a comment request.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said in a press release that it closely monitors activity in the Strait, and "dispatches appropriate naval and air forces to ensure security and stability". The waterway separates Communist China and the democratic island Taiwan. Around once a week, the U.S. Navy, as well as ships from other countries, including Canada, Britain, and France, transits the strait. They consider it an international waterway. Taiwan considers the strait an international waterway.

China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory claims that the strategic waterway is a part of its territorial seas. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's territorial claims.

Over the last five years, China has increased its military presence on the island. It has also conducted war games in the area. (Reporting and editing by Tom Hogue; Additional reporting and editing by James Pomfret and Ben Blanchard in Hong Kong; Anna Mehler Paperny and Edmund Klamann in Toronto.

(source: Reuters)