China condemns Canada for passing warships near Taiwan

The Chinese military on Sunday condemned Canada for a warship through the Taiwan Strait last week, saying it is threatening peace and stability in the region.

China sent about 150 aircraft near Taiwanese airspace over a four-day period beginning on Oct. 1 in a further heightening of tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

The U.S. guided missile destroyer USS Dewey sailed through the narrow waterway that separates Taiwan from China, followed by the Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg, on Thursday and Friday.

"Dewey's and Winnipeg's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the commitment of the United States and our allies and partners to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the American military announced said. China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theatre Command said its forces monitored the ships and "stood guard" throughout their passage.

"The United States and Canada colluded to provoke and stir up trouble ... seriously jeopardizing peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," it said.

"Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. Theater forces always maintain a high level of alert and resolutely counter all threats and provocations."

While tensions across over Taiwan have risen, there has been no shooting, and Chinese aircraft have not entered Taiwanese airspace.