The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army mobilized its air and naval forces to monitor a Canadian warship as it passed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, the command's spokesman said.

Senior Captain Li Xi said in a brief statement on Thursday that the HMCS Montreal, a Halifax-class frigate in the Royal Canadian Navy, transited through the strait, and the act was sensationalized by the Canadian side.

Aircraft and naval ships of the PLA Eastern Theater Command closely monitored the passage and stayed on alert, he said, blasting Canada for making trouble and attempting to jeopardize peace and stability in the region.

The spokesman said his command is ready to respond to any provocation or threat.