After months of secretive planning, and preparing the crew to defend their ship if necessary, the Royal Canadian Navy has transited the Taiwan Strait.

As HMCS Ottawa entered the busy and strategically critical body of water at sunrise, it was flanked by three Chinese warships armed with missiles and torpedoes. They mirrored Ottawa’s moves for the entire 17-hour crossing.

Canada made the journey along with the USS Ralph Johnson, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, in what both countries describe as a freedom of navigation exercise.

  • Wakmrow@lemmy.world
    5·
    1 year ago

    I’m genuinely curious what you think the US and Canada are doing by sailing warships through another country’s claimed waters?

    • joshuanozzi@lemmy.mlEnglish
      41·
      1 year ago

      Asserting the fact that China has no legitimate claim just because they suddenly say they do. They’re relying on threat (like bullies) and the big players on the playground aren’t having it. By ignoring the illegitimate claim, they’re showing the world that China will not be allowed to bully. Say what you will about the US (and you’d probably be right), but the US Navy is not one you want to fuck with, which is why they chaperoned the transit.

    • bradorsomething@ttrpg.network
      22·
      1 year ago

      Its a game of bluff. China can make all the claims it wants, but the waterway is traditionally open navigable waters, and rules are basically “do you want to start a war to stake your claim?” You can find many recordings online of western ships passing through the strait, and a constant back and forth of;

      “Turn back, you are in chinese waters.”

      “This is the USS Fillintheblank, we are in International Waters performing a freedom of navigation exercise.”

      “We order you to turn back now.”

      “This is the USS Fillintheblank, we are in…”

      • Wakmrow@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 year ago

        Yes so deliberately being antagonistic to prove the point claiming it’s international waters?