Thwarted Recent Air, Maritime Surveillance Attempts By China: Canada
In latest months, China has made renewed and unprecedented air and maritime surveillance makes an attempt close to Canadian territory, a prime Canadian army official stated on Tuesday.
In late March, two Chinese civilian plane finishing up what seemed to be a maritime surveillance mission had been detected flying near Canadian airspace off the northern tip of Vancouver Island, he stated.
The plane had been "intercepted and monitored" by two Canadian CF-18 fighter jets till they left the world, the official stated.
He stated the Canadian army has additionally noticed a rise in Chinese navy ships within the northern a part of the Pacific Ocean.
"In fact, what we've seen recently is the People's Liberation Army Navy sail a number of its vessels through the Canadian archipelago, north of the Arctic Circle," he stated.
"While they have done this before, they have done so in much smaller numbers and with less fanfare."
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, stated the Chinese navy ships weren't responding to Canadian queries whereas they had been within the space.
He stated the elevated Chinese exercise round Canada was "certainly something we're watching very closely."
"I think it's important to note that we live in a very big neighbourhood and, as neighbours go, China is a pretty big one," he stated.
"While, yes, there has been an increase in activity, I wouldn't say it's something that is concerning us at this particular point in time."
The official's feedback come amid heightened tensions between Canada and China over the arrest of Huawei govt Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition warrant.
Meng, the daughter of Chinese telecom big Huawei's founder, is dealing with prices within the United States of financial institution fraud and conspiracy associated to the violation of sanctions towards Iran.
In response to her arrest, China has detained two Canadian residents on suspicion of "engaging in activities that endangered China's national security."
It has additionally blocked shipments of Canadian canola and meat merchandise.
The Canadian official stated the elevated Chinese army exercise close to Canadian territory was not associated to the diplomatic tensions over Meng's case.
