South China Sea crisis: Canada urges NATO to track Beijing in ‘strong message’ to Xi

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The South China Sea is a highly contested region which faces claims of ownership from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Now Canada has accused Beijing of “hostage diplomacy” after detaining two Canadians.

Appearing from Ottawa via a video link, Canada’s defence minister Harjit Sajjan said NATO needs to “monitor” China’s activities as the actions in the region are “concerning”.

He said: “This type of hostage diplomacy is not what good rules-based order nations do.

“So, if you want to be part of the global rules-based order, we need to have greater predictability.

“These are some of the things that we will continue to monitor, and we need to monitor in NATO.

“This is not just about being reactionary to a problem.

“It’s about making sure any nation out there sees the collective will of what NATO brings to the table, and that’s the strong message of defence and deterrence.”

These remarks come as relations between Ottawa and Beijing continue to deteriorate.

These includes the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei in Vancouver back in 2018.

Ms Wanzhou was reportedly detained in a case related to bank fraud which could see her being extradited to the US.

Beijing retaliated by arresting two Canadians and sentencing others to death.

As relations deteriorate, Ottawa has abandoned any chance of a free trade deal with China.

Over recent weeks, relations between China and other countries, including the UK and the US.

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Tensions between Washington and Beijing have grown after the US urged other nations to counter China’s dominance in the South China Sea region.

China has recently constructed several military bunkers on some of the atolls, sparking fears of a World War 3 outbreak.

In July, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has issued an alarming warning to Beijing and called for other nations to counter against China.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Pompeo said: “The United States’ policy is crystal clear: the South China Sea is not China’s maritime empire.

“If Beijing violates international law and free nations do nothing, history shows the CCP will simply take more territory.

“China Sea disputes must be resolved through international law.”

Today, the UK and France are preparing strategies to keep an eye on China in the contested region.

The European powers are considering how to increase their presence in the contested South China Sea as tensions over the waters has continued to remain high.

Britain and France are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and have nuclear powers with “blue water” naval capabilities.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly considering plans to send the new £3.1billion HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers over the South China Sea to show force and support for its international partners including the US.

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