US and Canadian Warships Sail Through Taiwan Strait as China Remains on High Alert

Joint US-Canadian transit, marking the 60th instance since July 2018, aimed to reinforce commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific; move follows growing tensions over China's posture towards Taiwan and increased military activity in the region.

• US and Canadian warships, including USS Rafael Peralta and HMCS Ottawa, have jointly conducted transits through the Taiwan Strait amid rising tensions with China, marking the 60th instance since July 2018.
• The joint transits are seen as a demonstration of commitment to a 'free and open Indo-Pacific,' going line with international law and are described as 'unremarkable' and 'unprovocative'.
• China's military claims to monitor the US and Canadian warships during their transit and maintains a high alert to safeguard its national sovereignty and regional peace and stability.
• Taiwan's defense ministry states that it also observes the ships during their transit and reports a significant presence of Chinese military aircraft and warships in the strait.
• The increase in military activity is seen against a backdrop of escalating disagreements between China, US, and Canada over territorial sovereignty, trade, technological issues, and human rights violations.

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