China's military has accused an Australian navy ship and a Canadian frigate of provocations while sailing through the Taiwan Strait. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) reported that it monitored the guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane and the frigate Ville de Quebec as they transited the sensitive waterway.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command, stated that the ships' movements sent "the wrong signals" and heightened security risks. He said, "On September 6, the Canadian frigate 'Quebec' and the Australian destroyer 'Brisbane' transited the Taiwan Strait, causing trouble and provoking." He added that the PLA organized naval and air forces to oversee the entire transit, effectively managing the situation.

The Australian Department of Defence has been approached for comments regarding the incident. Earlier in the week, the HMAS Brisbane participated in freedom of navigation exercises alongside Canada, the Philippines, and the United States in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Taiwan's defense ministry has stated that it closely monitors activities in the Taiwan Strait. It confirmed that it dispatched appropriate air and naval forces to maintain security and stability in the area, which separates China from Taiwan, a self-governing and democratic island.

A spokesperson for the Canadian armed forces indicated that they do not comment on the sailing plans of currently deployed ships. The Ville de Quebec is part of Operation Horizon, which aims to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Taiwan Strait is considered an international waterway by the U.S. Navy and allied nations, including Canada, Britain, and France, who transit it approximately once a month. Taiwan also views the strait as international waters, while China claims it as part of its territorial waters, asserting that Taiwan is its own territory. Taiwan's government rejects these claims.

In recent years, China has intensified its military pressure on Taiwan, conducting war games in the vicinity.