Canada Denies Chinese State Media Report that Sailor was Stopped in Northwest Passage

Published at: Sep 22 2021 - 11:47 / Updated at: Sep 22 2021 - 11:47

Chinese state media is reporting the Canadian government stopped a Chinese sailor attempting to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean last week. Chinese media claim sailor Zhai Mo was stopped at Lancaster Sound, in the Northwest Passage.

However, “Captain Zhai Mo has not entered Canadian Arctic waters,” Transport Canada stated in an email to Nunatsiaq News on Sept. 17.

Mo, along with two crew members, is sailing a 25-metre boat that is fully solar powered and sponsored by Chinese telecom corporation China Mobile.

Transport Canada says it emailed Mo to relay that foreign boats going through the country’s waters for recreation or pleasure are temporarily prohibited due to COVID-19.