China slammed Canada’s newly-released ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy,’ which describes Beijing as an “increasingly disruptive global power” that must be contained, retorting that Ottawa is the “true disruptive force to global peace, security, and development.”
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa slammed Canada for “wantonly attacking and smearing” China and interfering in its ‘internal affairs,’ referring to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong.
The embassy accused Canada of hyping up the “China threat” and “strongly deplored” and stressed that its “interpretation” of China’s policies is “completely wrong,” and instead pointed the finger at Western nations for “blatantly violating” international law and the sovereignty of other countries.
China has made serious démarches to Canada regarding the China section of its Indo-Pacific Strategy which is filled with ideological bias. pic.twitter.com/9wKAaN2POO
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) November 28, 2022
It also took umbrage with Canada viewing the Chinese government and the Chinese people as separate, saying the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is “the choice of history and the choice of the people.” The statement stressed that “trying to distinguish” between the two is “despicable” and akin to “openly sowing discord”
Beijing argued that Canada’s new strategy aims to stir “geopoltical confrontation” in the Indo-Pacific via “bloc confrontation,” wherein it “draws ideological lines, and promotes “decoupling” and “breaking links.””
Keeping this in mind, it urged Canada to drop its “Cold War mentality,” warning that if it “does not measure itself and acts recklessly, it will surely suffer a shameful defeat and will also be forcefully countered by the Chinese side.”
Today, as we launch Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, you will see the full picture of how Canada intends not just to engage, but to lead, in the midst of a generational global shift. pic.twitter.com/m6nd9wE8HK
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) November 27, 2022
Similarly, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during his regular press briefing on Monday that Canada is “dominated by ideological bias.” He also accused it of hyping up the “so-called China threat” and making “unwarranted accusations” against China.
Zhao also accused the West of “fanning up the Cold War mentality and hyping up bloc confrontation.”
“No matter what level of development China achieves, it will never seek hegemony or expansion,” he asserted.
Canada launches Indo-Pacific Strategy to support long-term growth, prosperity, and security for Canadians
— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) November 27, 2022
Read full text here: https://t.co/LSTG89X2Am pic.twitter.com/DyPOkTqkM7
Reiterating that “affairs related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong are purely China’s internal affairs,” Zhao urged Canada to “show sincerity and goodwill, seek common ground while reserving differences” and “adopt reasonable and practical policies towards China.”
In its ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’ document released this week, Canada accused China of disregarding international norms, adding that even Canada has felt the “impact of coercive diplomacy and non-market trade practices, such as forced labour.”
⚓️ Canada will increase its naval presence in the region. In particular, we will boost our annual naval deployments from two to three frigates. This third frigate will sail from CFB Halifax to the region every year – increasing our capacity, and reinforcing defence partnerships.
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) November 27, 2022
Ottawa pledged to continue to strengthen the defence of Canadian infrastructure, democracy, and citizens against foreign interference domestically, including reviewing, modernising, and adding new provisions to the Investment Canada Act to protect national interests, acting decisively when investments from state-owned enterprises and other foreign entities threaten national security, including critical minerals supply chains, protecting intellectual property and research, and strengthening its cyber security systems.
It also pledged to “push back against any unilateral actions that threaten the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, as well as the East and South China Seas.”
Nevertheless, the document acknowledged that “China’s sheer size and influence [...] makes cooperation necessary to address some of the world’s existential pressures, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, global health, and nuclear proliferation.”
👨🏫 We are launching a new Canadian-led military capacity-building program, through which the @CanadianForces will offer mentorship and expertise to partners in the Indo-Pacific – with a focus on building the capability, interoperability, and sustainability of partner forces.
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) November 27, 2022
Canada and China have recently stepped up their rhetoric against one another, particularly in the aftermath of a report alleging Chinese interference during Canada’s 2019 federal election. Beijing, however, has rejected all allegations, stating that it has “no interest in Canada’s internal affairs” and warning of punitive trade measures.
Furthermore, it has been reported that three of China’s 50 overseas police stations are in Ottawa. The facilities are used to conduct operations and force Chinese citizens, particularly dissidents, to return to China in order to face criminal charges.
In fact, ties between Canada and China have taken a severe downturn since 2018, when authorities in Vancouver arrested Chinese telecom giant Huawei Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou over a bank fraud warrant issued by then-US President Donald Trump. In retaliation, Chinese authorities arrested former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor for endangering state security and indicted them in June 2020 on espionage charges.
Though the two countries conducted a prisoner exchange involving the three individuals last September, Trudeau has continued to take a firm stand against China. Canada has repeatedly condemned China’s actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Meanwhile, China has criticised Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous population and warned of imposing harsh trade restrictions.