With the announcement that Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were taken hostage by communist China, a panel of experts said to address what Canada calls Beijing’s forced diplomacy, especially the Indo-Pacific. He says he should consider expanding strategic partnerships in the region.
A group of experts in international affairs met on October 6th Webinar It discusses “hostage diplomacy, economic coercion, and obvious threats” adopted by Beijing and outlines strategies that allow like-minded countries to work together to deal with political conflicts.
“We need to expand our partnerships. We need to be more multilateral in engagement,” he said. Stephen Nagy, Senior Associate Professor of International Studies at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, at an event hosted by the McDonald’s Laurier Institute.
“When economic coercion, or any other form of coercion, occurs … we can rely on those partners and their economic networks and strategic partnerships to put collective pressure on Beijing and push it back. . ”
The event was part of A series of discussions On the growing challenges of the Chinese administration to a rule-based international order and its aggressive economic and security policies affecting North America, Europe, Asia and more.
Luke PattyA senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies said it is important for Canada to recognize the economic and strategic interests of Asia other than China.He is the European Union Indo Pacific Strategy For cooperation in April.
“Canada should strongly consider considering growth opportunities, especially in India, especially in Southeast Asia,” he said.
“It’s … like unleashing economic relations with China. Find out where you tend to be, where you are highly dependent, and then where are the other countries that may offer you the opportunity to start diversifying. “
Patey, author “”How China Lose: Opposition to China’s Global Ambitions“. Various anti-coercion plans are under consideration to prevent the invasion of Beijing. Interstate fund to support target industries..
“”There was also a discussion about doing soEconomic Article 5 rt—Similar to NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] In the economy front-So if a country is economically targeted, “Allies,” he said.
Mr Nagy said Canada can learn from another country that has experienced China’s hostage diplomacy, Japan. A professor at Hokkaido University was detained in September 2019 on suspicion of espionage, but the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs saidConfession Illegal collection of state secrets. ”
“Japan was able to navigate this relationship and the coercion I think from a strength standpoint,” Nagy said. problem. ”
He also added that Japan will also diversify its strategic partnership.Participate in Japan-US-Australia-India Strategic Dialogue, Also known as the quad, there are the United States, Australia, and India. We are also investing in multilateral agreements such as the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and the Progressive Agreement. Trans-Pacific PartnershipFree trade agreements with 11 other countries, including Canada..
“Japan is negotiating its relationship with Beijing from a comprehensive strength standpoint that allows it to attract and retain other parties in the region to support Japan’s interests,” Nagy said. Said.
Thomas Wilkins, Senior lecturer A security and strategic study at the University of Sydney emphasized the need to diversify the supply chain, increase domestic manufacturing and strengthen minilateral partnerships.
He said Australia’s attempt to “compartmentalize” its security relations between the United States and Japan, apart from its economic interests with China, was “always a bit of a charade.”
“Economical chessboards and security chessboards, or such silos, are no longer separated. The walls are broken between these compartments,” Wilkins said. Senior Researcher At the Japan Institute of International Affairs.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank established by the Chinese administration, Belt and Road Initiative, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization “It changed the landscape of the Indo-Pacific region,” he added. For the countries operating in the region, “the economic and security barriers are collapsing.”
China’s reputation for western democracy has hit a record low in recent years, but developing countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka and some African and Middle Eastern states say China is “not too bad.” He said he had a different view.
“This is really important,” he said. “When we calculate and configure our approach to China, we need to make sure we understand it. [China’s] Relationships with us may be problematic, but they have many other partnerships around the world and are pitching themselves as emerging market champions. “
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Isaac is a Toronto-based reporter.