Indo-Pacific strategy aims to boost investment and security to counter ‘disruptive’ China – National

Canada seeks to balance its “increasingly disruptive” approach to China by investing billions in economic opportunities in the Indo-Pacific while strengthening its security and intelligence networks, it said. , the long-awaited strategy announced on Sunday is mentioned.

The Commonwealth’s Indo-Pacific Strategy seeks to harness the economic growth of the region, which is estimated to be home to more than half of the world economy by 2040, while also helping to prevent climate change, promote women’s and girls’ rights, It also pursues Canada’s priorities in reconciling Indigenous peoples.

But China’s threat looms large against plans aimed at preserving diplomatic ties and finding common ground wherever possible, while safeguarding Canada’s interests and security.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told Mercedes Stephenson at the West Block just before the strategy was announced.

Noting that China is gradually bending international norms to its own ends and increasing its military power, Jolie said the superpower’s aggressive move was “why do we step up our game?” Is there a need?”

“We need to invest more in this part of the world because it is so important to our own sovereignty and our own peace and stability,” she said.

The strategy includes the regional deployment of additional military assets, including frigates tasked with ensuring the security of China’s airspace and waters, as well as the continued enforcement of sanctions against North Korea. .

Further investments will also be made in national and regional cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as in the RCMP, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and other security and border agencies to protect Canada from cyberattacks and foreign interference.

The latter issue has received renewed scrutiny in recent weeks. According to Global News sources, Canadian intelligence agencies have told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that China has been involved in a number of foreign transactions, including funding a secret network of at least 11 federal candidates running in the 2019 elections. It warned that it was allegedly targeting Canada in a massive campaign of interference.

The RCMP is also investigating so-called “police stations” allegedly set up by Beijing in Toronto and Vancouver to crack down on Chinese-Canadian activity.

“When it comes to foreign interference in general, I think we have to do more to counter it,” Jolie said. That’s why we’re putting $150 million on the table to deal with it.

“We need to invest in intelligence agencies and the RCMP.”

The strategy recognizes that China’s “huge scale and influence require cooperation” to address climate change and other serious issues and to maintain existing economic ties. Canada’s exports to China totaled $28.84 billion last year, accounting for more than 4% of her total exports, according to Statistics Canada customs data. Meanwhile, imports from China totaled $85.67 billion, accounting for 14% of Canada’s imports.

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But fearing that it will further fund China’s rise as a global superpower that could overtake the western world and counter the growing aggression seen under President Xi Jinping’s leadership, Ottawa is feared to be a Calls for a reduction in its reliance on trade activities have grown over the years.

These calls grew louder while Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spaber were detained in China for nearly three years. Their arrest was seen as retaliation after the RCMP detained Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States on suspicion of bank fraud. The Canadian was eventually released last year after Meng was allowed to return to China, but the case raised concerns that Beijing would use coercive diplomacy to achieve its ends. caused it.

China is also becoming increasingly vocal about its intentions to bring Taiwan back into its circle of influence, despite democratic island resistance. Beijing has sent military planes and a naval fleet to the Taiwan Strait in recent weeks in what Canada and its allies see as an act of intimidation, and President Xi has refused to dismiss the possibility of military intervention. ing.

The Indo-Pacific strategy is focused in part on China, but it also looks elsewhere in the region for investment and trade opportunities.

The document includes plans to expand economic ties with India while establishing trade gateways in Southeast Asia as market gateways for countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. The existing relationship between Japan and South Korea will be further strengthened.

Under a strategy to advance Canada’s relationship with the region, a new Indo-Pacific Trade Representative will be appointed and a series of Canada-led trade missions will further develop the relationship.

Jolie said $2.2 billion of new funding will be invested immediately as a “down payment” to start implementing parts of the strategy.

“There is a global generational shift happening in this region,” she said. “There is tension, but at the same time there is a lot of economic growth. So we need to be there to seize these opportunities and create good jobs in the country.”

Beyond China, these tensions include North Korea’s continued provocations with missile tests and threats of nuclear strikes, and unrest in Myanmar, still reeling from a military coup almost two years ago.

The plan includes strengthening Canada’s contribution to the Five Eyes Alliance and further defense and intelligence cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the North Pacific.

Military and naval power in the Indo-Pacific will also be strengthened and expanded.

Beyond trade, this strategy also includes promoting travel and immigration opportunities between Canada and the region, strengthening international student programs, and supporting the objectives of French-speaking immigrants from French-speaking countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. . Fighting anti-Asian hatred will also be a key pillar of Canada’s anti-racism strategy.

The plan will strengthen human rights support, including for women and girls, LGBTQ2+ people, and religious minorities such as the Uyghurs and Rohingya.

The plan includes building a collaborative climate change strategy focused on promoting Canada’s clean technology in the region, helping countries move away from coal, and protecting fish stocks from illegal fishing. It contains.

Jolie said the overall goal is to increase Canada’s influence in the Indo-Pacific by recognizing Canada’s status as a Pacific nation while helping lead efforts to ensure peace and security in the region. It is said that it is to expand the

“I think it’s a whole-of-society approach, a good plan, an ambitious plan. I really hope that as Canadians we can all pull the flag together and be in the community,” she said. I got