Ottawa: Canada launched its long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday outlining $2.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in spending to boost military and cyber security in the region and working with it on climate change and trade as “disruptive Vows to deal with China. issues.
The plan, detailed in a 26-page document, said Canada would tighten foreign investment rules to protect intellectual property and prevent Chinese state-owned enterprises from cornering vital mineral supplies.
Canada is seeking to deepen ties with the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region of 40 countries, which accounts for nearly C$50 trillion in economic activity. But the focus is on China, which has been mentioned more than 50 times, at a time when bilateral relations have cooled.
At a news conference in Vancouver, four cabinet ministers detailing the new plan said the strategy was critical to Canada’s national security and climate as well as its economic goals.
Secretary of State Melanie Jolie said, “We will engage in diplomacy because we think diplomacy is a force, plus we will be firm and that’s why we now have a very transparent plan to engage with China.”
Prime Minister Justin TrudeauThe U.S. Liberal government seeks to diversify trade and economic ties that are heavily dependent on the United States. Official figures for September show that bilateral trade with China accounts for less than 7% of the total, compared to 68% for the United States.
Canada’s outreach to Asian allies also comes as Washington has shown signs of rapidly increasing free trade in recent years.
The document outlined Canada’s dilemma in building a relationship with China, which offers significant opportunities for Canadian exporters, even as Beijing seeks to shape the international order “in an environment more permissive to interests and values”. watches for those who rapidly turn away from us,” it added.
Challenge to China
Nevertheless, the document said cooperation with the world’s second-largest economy was necessary to address “the world’s existential pressures”, including climate change, global health and nuclear proliferation.
“China is an increasingly disruptive global power,” the strategy said. “Our approach … is shaped by a realistic and clear-eyed assessment of today’s China. In areas of deep disagreement, we will challenge China.”
Tensions with China escalated in late 2018 when Canadian police detained a Huawei Technologies executive and Beijing later arrested two Canadians on espionage charges. All three were released last year, but relations remain sour.
Canada earlier this month ordered three Chinese companies to divest their investments in vital Canadian minerals, citing national security.
The document mentions China, saying Ottawa will review and update legislation that enables it to “act decisively when investments from state-owned enterprises and other foreign entities affect our supply chains, including those of our vital minerals.” poses a threat to national security.”
“Because the sector is both large and diverse, one size certainly does not fit all,” Perrin Beattie, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
The document states that Canada will boost its naval presence in the region and “increase our military engagement and intelligence capability as a means of coercive behavior and mitigating threats to regional security.”
Canada is part of a Group of Seven major industrialized nations seeking significant measures in response to North Korea’s missile launches.
The document noted that Ottawa was engaging with partners such as the United States and the European Union in this area.
She said Canada needs to keep talking to countries with which it has fundamental disagreements, but did not name them.
The plan, detailed in a 26-page document, said Canada would tighten foreign investment rules to protect intellectual property and prevent Chinese state-owned enterprises from cornering vital mineral supplies.
Canada is seeking to deepen ties with the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region of 40 countries, which accounts for nearly C$50 trillion in economic activity. But the focus is on China, which has been mentioned more than 50 times, at a time when bilateral relations have cooled.
At a news conference in Vancouver, four cabinet ministers detailing the new plan said the strategy was critical to Canada’s national security and climate as well as its economic goals.
Secretary of State Melanie Jolie said, “We will engage in diplomacy because we think diplomacy is a force, plus we will be firm and that’s why we now have a very transparent plan to engage with China.”
Prime Minister Justin TrudeauThe U.S. Liberal government seeks to diversify trade and economic ties that are heavily dependent on the United States. Official figures for September show that bilateral trade with China accounts for less than 7% of the total, compared to 68% for the United States.
Canada’s outreach to Asian allies also comes as Washington has shown signs of rapidly increasing free trade in recent years.
The document outlined Canada’s dilemma in building a relationship with China, which offers significant opportunities for Canadian exporters, even as Beijing seeks to shape the international order “in an environment more permissive to interests and values”. watches for those who rapidly turn away from us,” it added.
Challenge to China
Nevertheless, the document said cooperation with the world’s second-largest economy was necessary to address “the world’s existential pressures”, including climate change, global health and nuclear proliferation.
“China is an increasingly disruptive global power,” the strategy said. “Our approach … is shaped by a realistic and clear-eyed assessment of today’s China. In areas of deep disagreement, we will challenge China.”
Tensions with China escalated in late 2018 when Canadian police detained a Huawei Technologies executive and Beijing later arrested two Canadians on espionage charges. All three were released last year, but relations remain sour.
Canada earlier this month ordered three Chinese companies to divest their investments in vital Canadian minerals, citing national security.
The document mentions China, saying Ottawa will review and update legislation that enables it to “act decisively when investments from state-owned enterprises and other foreign entities affect our supply chains, including those of our vital minerals.” poses a threat to national security.”
“Because the sector is both large and diverse, one size certainly does not fit all,” Perrin Beattie, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
The document states that Canada will boost its naval presence in the region and “increase our military engagement and intelligence capability as a means of coercive behavior and mitigating threats to regional security.”
Canada is part of a Group of Seven major industrialized nations seeking significant measures in response to North Korea’s missile launches.
The document noted that Ottawa was engaging with partners such as the United States and the European Union in this area.
She said Canada needs to keep talking to countries with which it has fundamental disagreements, but did not name them.