Canadian Warship Transits Taiwan Strait; Lin Chia-lung Affirms Canada's Defense of Indo-Pacific Freedom

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 30. The Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown transited the Taiwan Strait from the 22nd to the 23rd. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomes and affirms Canada's concrete actions to defend freedom, peace, and openness in the Indo-Pacific, and its firm stance demonstrating that the Taiwan Strait is international waters. The Canadian Department of National Defence recently confirmed that HMCS Charlottetown carried out a routine Taiwan Strait transit mission on the 22nd and completed the voyage on the 23rd. This operation was conducted independently by the Canadian warship, without accompanying vessels from other allies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press release this afternoon stating that this is the first time a Canadian warship has transited the Taiwan Strait this year, and the eighth time a Canadian warship has sailed through the Taiwan Strait since Canada released its Indo-Pacific strategy in November 2022. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the Taiwan government will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, deepen exchanges and cooperation with democratic allies, jointly defend the rules-based international order, and maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.