Canada’s Stand Against Chinese Aggression: The Importance of Defending Taiwan

China’s long-standing intimidation tactics toward Taiwan have reached a dangerous tipping point. The recent transit of HMCS Ottawa through the Taiwan Strait—an international waterway that China falsely claims as its own—has once again exposed Beijing’s authoritarian ambitions. While Canada’s involvement may seem like a minor gesture, it represents something much larger: a commitment to upholding international law, defending democratic allies, and resisting China’s push for global dominance.

Taiwan’s Struggle for Sovereignty

The tension between China and Taiwan stems from a fundamental dispute: Taiwan sees itself as an independent, democratic nation, while China insists it is a breakaway province that must be reunified—by force if necessary. This claim is baseless.

Taiwan has its own government, military, and economy. Its people overwhelmingly reject the idea of being ruled by Beijing. Multiple polls show that the majority of Taiwanese citizens want to maintain their sovereignty, with growing support for outright independence.

Yet China continues its campaign of harassment. Its military regularly encroaches on Taiwanese airspace, conducts aggressive naval drills, and attempts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically by pressuring other nations to refuse recognition of its government. The goal? To wear Taiwan down, intimidate its allies, and ultimately absorb it into a dictatorial system that mirrors China’s own oppressive regime.

If Beijing succeeds, Taiwan will not be the last domino to fall. A Chinese takeover would embolden the Communist Party to expand its influence even further, threatening other nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The world cannot afford to let this happen.

Canada’s Role in the Taiwan Strait

China’s latest outrage was triggered by a simple fact: Canada is refusing to back down. HMCS Ottawa’s passage through the Taiwan Strait, following similar U.S. naval transits, signals that Canada recognizes Taiwan’s right to exist free from Chinese coercion.

Predictably, China’s military condemned the mission, calling it a deliberate provocation and vowing to “resolutely counter all threats and provocations.” But Canada’s mission was not an act of aggression—it was a reaffirmation of the principle that international waters are not owned by any single nation, no matter how much Beijing tries to claim otherwise.

This is not the first time Canada has stood firm. In October, a joint U.S.-Canadian transit through the strait followed Chinese military exercises designed to intimidate Taiwan. Each time Canada sails these waters, it sends a clear message: we will not let China unilaterally rewrite the rules of global order.

The Need for a Stronger Canadian Navy

Canada’s involvement in the Taiwan Strait is a powerful statement—but it must be backed by real military strength. Currently, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) consists of approximately 8,400 Regular Force personnel, 4,100 Primary Reserve sailors, and 3,800 civilian employees. Our fleet includes:

• 12 Halifax-class frigates (the backbone of our naval force)

• 12 Kingston-class coastal defense vessels

• 4 Victoria-class submarines

• 4 Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels

• 8 Orca-class patrol vessels

While this is a respectable force, it is nowhere near the size needed to effectively counter China’s growing military might. To put it into perspective, China’s navy is now the world’s largest, with over 340 ships and a rapid expansion plan that includes aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and state-of-the-art missile systems.

By comparison, the United States—a country we must align ourselves with as closely as possible—maintains a fleet of roughly **290 combat-ready