Beijing : China’s military said its forces had followed and warned a Canadian and an Australian warship, which were sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, in a move it criticised as a provocation.

The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command said the Canadian frigate Ville de Quebec and the Australian guided-missile destroyer Brisbane were engaged in “trouble-making and provocation”.

“The actions of the Canadians and Australians send the wrong signals and increase security risks,” it said.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Australian armed forces.

A spokesperson said the Canadian armed forces do not comment on sailing plans for currently deployed ships.

The spokesperson said the Ville de Quebec was deployed as part of Operation Horizon

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