Warships Cross Taiwan Strait Under PLA Watch
According to Chinese media, Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec and Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintained full surveillance during the passage and declared the situation “fully under control.”
The transit comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with China repeatedly warning against foreign military presence in what it considers its sovereign waters.
China Rebukes Philippines Over Taiwan Remarks
A day earlier, Beijing sharply criticised Philippine Defence Minister Gilbert Teodoro for remarks dismissing China’s “red line” and asserting Manila’s right to engage Taiwan officials. Teodoro said the Philippines remains committed to the “one-China policy,” but added that China had “no right to dictate” its sovereign decisions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Manila of making “provocations on multiple occasions” and warned that the Philippines would “pay the price” for undermining China’s sovereignty and challenging its bottom line.
Beijing Issues Stern Warning
Guo emphasised that those in the Philippines “playing the troublemaker on the Taiwan question” would face consequences and urged them to stop “theatrics and provocations.” He reiterated China’s position that Taiwan is an internal matter and that any interference would backfire.
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