TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Canada and Australia reiterated the importance of Taiwan Strait peace in a joint statement issued on Thursday (Aug. 8).

Canadian Minister of Defense Bill Blair met his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, in Vancouver. The two agreed to build up deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and expressed concern about China’s military activity in the South China Sea and near Taiwan. Both ministers expressed interest in deeper Canada-Australia defense cooperation, including in the Indo-Pacific region.

Blair said the Indo-Pacific is “a region of key strategic importance for Canada’s future security and prosperity,” according to the statement.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed the two countries’ “strong support” for the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait. The ministry said that Blair raised concerns with Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun (董軍) at the Shagri-La Dialogue about Beijing’s military activities around Taiwan. This demonstrates Canada's support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it said.

Taiwan will continue to cooperate with Canada, Australia, and like-minded global partners to defend democracy and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world, MOFA said.