Canadian warship crosses Taiwan Strait, 28 PLA aircraft cross the middle line to disturb Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that on the 16th, a Canadian warship traveled through the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China announced today (17th) that from 6 a.m. on the 16th until 6 a.m. today, a total of 28 instances of Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, and the Taiwanese military closely monitored and responded to the situation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stated on the 16th that the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa of the Canadian Navy passed through the Taiwan Strait on the 16th. The Ministry welcomed and appreciated Canada’s concrete actions to defend the freedom, peace, and openness of the Taiwan Strait, and to demonstrate its firm stance that the Taiwan Strait is international waters.

The Taiwan Foreign Ministry mentioned that this was the first time a Canadian warship had passed through the Taiwan Strait this year and the sixth time since Canada issued its Indo-Pacific Strategy in November 2022. It continues to demonstrate Canada’s determination to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through concrete actions. In the face of various provocations from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the government of the Republic of China will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, firmly resist the expansion of authoritarianism, deepen exchanges and cooperation with like-minded countries, and collectively defend the rules-based international order, as well as peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

Concerning the passage of the Canadian warship through the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese military reacted strongly, claiming that Canada’s move was a deliberate provocation. They closely monitored the warship and issued warnings.

Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China today released information on the activities of Chinese military aircraft and vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan. From 6 a.m. on the 16th until 6 a.m. today, a total of 41 instances of Chinese military aircraft (including 28 instances crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait into northern, central, and southwestern airspace) and 9 Chinese vessels, and 1 government ship were monitored continuously around the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military utilized aircraft, ships, and coastal missile systems to closely monitor and deal with these activities.

According to the illustration of Chinese military activities in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait provided by the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan, between 10:55 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the 16th, 2 instances of Chinese fighter and support aircraft were detected in the northern airspace, with one instance crossing the median line of the Strait; between 7:05 a.m. and 10:55 p.m., 22 instances of Chinese fighter jets and drones were spotted in the Taiwan Strait airspace, with 10 instances crossing the median line; and in the southwestern airspace, 17 instances of Chinese fighter and support aircraft were detected between 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

The Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan announced on the morning of the 16th the dynamics of Chinese military activities in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait, noting that from 6 a.m. on the 15th to 6 a.m. on the 16th, 4 instances of Chinese military aircraft were detected (including 2 instances crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait into the northern and southwestern airspace), along with 8 Chinese vessels, 1 government ship, and a Chinese reconnaissance balloon continuing to operate in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait.

Additionally, on the afternoon of the 16th, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan issued a press release indicating that a Canadian frigate had passed from south to north through the Taiwan Strait. During the passage, the Taiwanese military kept track of the surrounding sea and airspace situation and responded appropriately.

In another press release on the afternoon of the 16th, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan reported that Chinese J-10 and KJ-500 fighter jets, as well as various types of drones, totaling 24 instances, had been spotted heading out to sea since 10:50 a.m. A total of 18 instances crossed the median line and its extension, entering the airspace in the north, central, and southwestern regions of Taiwan, coordinating with Chinese vessels for “joint readiness patrols.” The Taiwanese military utilized integrated intelligence surveillance means to closely monitor and dispatched aircraft, ships, and coastal missile systems to respond accordingly.