TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Canada sailed a warship through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (July 31), the country's defense ministry said. 

The HMCS Montreal frigate "recently conducted a routine transit" through the strait, Canada’s defense ministry said. Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said the sailing was a reaffirmation of Canada's commitment to a "free, open and inclusive" Indo-Pacific, per Reuters.

“As outlined in our Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada is increasing the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region," Blair said.

Taiwan’s defense ministry issued a statement on Thursday (Aug. 1) and said the Canadian frigate sailed north to south through the strait. “During the sailing, the military was in full control of air and sea, and the situation was normal,” the statement said.

Li Xi (李熹), a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command, said the sailing undermined peace in the Taiwan Strait. Li said China’s troops were on high alert, and are "ready to respond to all threats and provocations."