The Canadian warship HMCS Ottawa has had multiple encounters with suspected Chinese vessels in less than a week since leaving the friendly port of Yokosuka, Japan.

During Wednesday afternoon's exercise in the East China Sea, the heavily armed Chinese destroyer, known as the Luyang, closely trailed a convoy of ships, including the Canadian warship.

The Luyang repeatedly hailed the Canadians on maritime radio and came within just over a kilometer of the allied ships.

The close proximity prompted the commanding officer of HMCS Ottawa to order his intelligence-gathering team to capture imagery of the Chinese vessel for sharing with allies.

Navy Cmdr. Samuel Patchell, while observing the destroyer from the command bridge, remarked, "They're as curious about our behavior as we are of theirs."

HMCS Ottawa is currently deployed to the Indo-Pacific region for a four-month mission aimed at upholding freedom of movement for all ships in international waters. This mission is particularly significant as China asserts territorial claims over areas that are recognized by most nations as international waters.

Canada is among several nations intensifying their maritime presence in the region due to escalating tensions. In addition to HMCS Ottawa, another Canadian frigate, along with the supply vessel MV Asterix, has been deployed for four months. MV Asterix plays a crucial role in refueling frigates and allied vessels at sea, thereby extending their operational capabilities.

The encounter on Wednesday comes as China's navy, now the world's largest in terms of the number of ships, has been increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific region.

China has been known to harass military vessels passing through the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea, areas where it claims territorial control, despite international recognition of these waters as open for unhindered access by all sea-going nations.

These encounters underscore the growing tensions in the region, as nations seek to protect their interests and assert their rights in disputed waters. (ILKHA)