Canadian Navy makes waves in Western Pacific

The Royal Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa is seen out at sea in an undated photo from its official Facebook page. [Courtesy, Facebook]

A dangerous encounter between a Chinese jet fighter and a Canadian helicopter over the South China Sea has called attention to Canada's heightened interest in the Western Pacific, including participation in patrols through the disputed Taiwan Strait.

In the October 29 incident, first reported by CNN, a helicopter was flying off the deck of the frigate HMCS Ottawa over international waters east of the Paracel Islands when the Chinese warplane began circling the helicopter, firing flares and at one point passing within about 30 meters of the Canadian aircraft.