In a speech delivered in Toronto on Wednesday, Canada’s foreign minister acknowledged: its demographic weight and Its influence makes cooperation with China necessary to meet global challenges like climate change.

But she also wanted to reassure that if necessary, Canada will not hesitate to confront China, a world power that is increasingly disrupting the world order and the seeks to shape the global environment in a way that is more tolerant of interests and values ​​that increasingly diverge from our own.

In particular, she promises to continue defending human rights in China, where credible allegations of abuse and crimes against humanity are well documentedto oppose unilateral measures that endanger Taiwan’s status quo; and to defend freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

The minister even spoke to Canadians who have economic interests in China.

” You have to see clearly […] My job is to tell you that doing business with the country involves geopolitical risks. »

She promises that Ottawa will help them Diversify and mitigate risks in the region.

Invest to understand each other better

But in a context where Canada is looking to deepen its ties with the Indo-Pacific countries, how is Canada not to alienate this giant at the heart of the region?

I announce today that we are investing in deepening our understanding of how China thinks, acts and plans; how it exerts its influence in the region and in the world.

Specifically, this $50 million investment goes to the important messages of Canada to send experts dedicated to deepening our understanding of China’s challenges and opportunities.

But according to Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, the Liberal government should focus on allegations of foreign interference by the Chinese government in Canada’s elections.

“I have seen no action by the government to defend Canadian democracy in the face of this type of foreign interference,” he said at a news conference in Vancouver on Wednesday morning. “I think Justin Trudeau needs to explain why he knew something and didn’t do anything. »

“We need a government that stands up for human rights and freedoms and defends Canadian interests in an increasingly dangerous world,” he added.

Search for new allies in the Indo-Pacific region

Mélanie Joly and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will soon fly to Asia where they will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting (APEC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to Minister Joly, this should be the goal of this trip to Canada clear how not only will he be engaged, but how we will lead on the world stage, deepening our existing friendships and seeking new allies.

These new allies are found particularly in the Indo-Pacific, the region with the fastest economic growth, Ms Joly assures. By 2040 — less than two decades from now — the region will account for more than half of the global economy, more than double the United States’ share.

” All of the issues that matter to Canadians—our security, economic prosperity, democratic values, health, the environment, women’s rights, human rights—will be shaped by the relationship Canada and its allies and partners have with the countries of the Indo-Pacific. »

Mélanie Joly did not detail Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, but she did reveal her five main goals:

• promoting peace and security in the region;
• improving trade, investment and our supply chains;
• Invest in the ties between our respective peoples and continue to defend human rights;
• Support the fight against climate change;
• Deepening Canada’s ties in the region.

With information from Louis Blouin