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The recently released Indo-Pacific Strategy details Canada’s approach to supporting the rules-based order in the region, with new security expenditure as well as strengthened diplomatic, cultural and economic ties.
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In late November, the Canadian government released the Indo-Pacific Strategy, a whole-of-government framework detailing how the country intends to collaborate with its partners to shape the region.
The strategy contains $2.3 billion in commitments over the next five years across security, trade, connectivity, green initiatives and Canada’s role in the region.
Key ticket items include:
- $492.9 to “reinforce” the nation’s naval presence and enable Canada to participate in more regional military exercises;
- $750 million for FinDev Canada (the nation’s development finance institution) improving its ability to support sustainable infrastructure; and
- $100 million to enhance the government’s overseas missions.
“The future of the Indo-Pacific is our future; we have a role to play in shaping it. To do so, we need to be a true, reliable partner,” Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said.
“Today, we are putting forward a truly Canadian strategy — one that involves every facet of our society. It sends a clear message to the region that Canada is here, and they can trust we are here to stay.”
Writing in ASPI’s The Strategist this week, John Garrick — research fellow at Charles Darwin University — and Margaret McCuaig-Johnston — senior fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Institute for Science, Society and Policy — explained how ameliorating the risk of China was central to the development of the strategy.
“A relatively long section is devoted to the threats (and opportunities) coming from China. There’s also a section on India, which is portrayed primarily as a democratic friend that offers significant trade diversification and investment opportunities,” the pair wrote.
Indeed, the strategy appears to take a firm tone regarding China’s domination of the region’s minority groups and Taiwan, committing Canada’s support to smaller regional states.
“The document is also explicit in its support of Taiwan and the rights of Uyghurs, Tibetans and other ethnic and religious minorities,” the pair observe.
“It demonstrates that Canada is committed to being a reliable partner to the countries in the region and, notably, states: ‘In areas of profound disagreement, we will challenge China, including when it engages in coercive behaviour — economic or otherwise — ignores human rights obligations or undermines our own national security interests and those of partners in the region’.”
CCP mouthpiece The Global Times attacked the publication of the strategy.
“Observers also believed the bluntly hostile strategy serves as further proof that Canada is becoming bogged down deeper as the US’ vassal in countering China in the region,” an article recently declared.
