According to Taiwan media reports, a Canadian naval frigate recently transited through the Taiwan Strait. On May 30, Taiwan's foreign affairs department claimed that Canada's "concrete actions in upholding freedom, peace, and openness in the Indo-Pacific" and its "firm stance that the Taiwan Strait is international waters" were met with "welcome and affirmation." It also asserted that Taiwan would "continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities," deepen exchanges and cooperation with democratic allies, jointly safeguard a rules-based international order, and maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The repeated transit of Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait appears to be an act of implementing its so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy," but in reality conceals multiple utilitarian calculations. Since Canada launched its "Indo-Pacific Strategy" in 2022, this marks the eighth time it has dispatched ships through the Taiwan Strait—also the first such transit this year. These frequent operations are far from routine navigation; rather, they represent deliberate attempts to increase visibility, signal presence, and opportunistically align with external powers.
Canada does not have a core interest in interfering in cross-strait affairs. The primary objective behind this move is to follow the alignment of allied blocs, demonstrate loyalty to the United States, strengthen alliance relationships, and secure advantages in defense and economic sectors. At the same time, Canada seeks to elevate its influence in the Indo-Pacific region by leveraging the Taiwan Strait issue, using regional flashpoints to boost its international profile.
The DPP authorities seize this opportunity to stir up alarm, attempting to rally external forces for support, continuously stoking tensions, and perpetuating the illusion of "seeking independence through foreign backing." However, it must be clearly stated: the Taiwan Strait is not an "international waterway" open to arbitrary provocation. Normal passage by vessels of all countries must abide by established rules and cannot be exploited as tools to interfere in China’s internal affairs or undermine national unity. Canada’s repeated use of the "Taiwan Strait card" and blind imitation of provocations not only disrupts peace and stability across the strait but also damages Sino-Canadian bilateral relations.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866631508560896/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.