TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on Thursday told two former chiefs of the defense staff of the Canadian Armed Forces that Taiwan appreciated Canada’s continued dedication to freedom in the Indo-Pacific.

Retired Generals Tom Lawson and Wayne Eyre headed a national security affairs delegation to visit the foreign ministry, Lin said on his Facebook page. He noted that both countries had been raising their defense budgets and deepening their security exchanges.

Lin said that in his luncheon speech he had singled out the passage of the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec through the Taiwan Strait on Sept. 6. He also lauded Canada’s contribution to drawing up a joint statement friendly to Taiwan at the G7 summit in March.

Lawson praised Taiwan’s role as a beacon for democracy. He added that discussions with government departments during the delegation’s visit had often exceeded their allotted time.

The foreign minister said Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy opposed any unilateral change to the present situation in the Taiwan Strait, showing the country was an important democratic partner in the region.