Warning that Canada will face danger if it acts arbitrarily
Criticism for belatedly joining the US Indo-Pacific strategy after hesitation
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] China disparaged Canada as a vassal of the United States in response to Canada's policy of participating in the Indo-Pacific strategy. It also warned that Canada's involvement in the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy would result in damage to Canada's national interests.
The state-run Global Times reported on the 29th that the Chinese government would take resolute measures regarding Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy. The outlet also harshly criticized the recent Canadian Indo-Pacific strategy, saying it was Ottawa's own admission of being a vassal of Washington.
On the 27th (local time), Canada announced an Indo-Pacific strategy report that includes strengthening military and diplomatic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and promoting restrictions on investments by Chinese companies in Canada.
Canada defined China as a "disruptive state" regarding international norms and stated it would confront China in areas of deep disagreement. Canada emphasized that it would invest 2.3 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 2.3 trillion Korean won) over the next five years to mitigate China-related risks.
Additionally, Canada said it would amend foreign investment-related laws to protect infrastructure, resources, technology, supply chains, and intellectual property (IP), thereby blocking the entry of Chinese state-owned enterprises into Canada.
In this context, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the report as full of ideological prejudice and baseless accusations and lodged a stern protest with the Canadian government. The Chinese Embassy in Canada also commented, "If Canada acts arbitrarily, it will face risks."
Professor Wang Yiwei of Renmin University stated, "Canada's report aligns with the U.S. national security strategy," and argued, "Canada's role as a U.S. vassal will drag Canada deeper into a quagmire." He hinted at China's economic retaliation, wondering how much economic damage the Justin Trudeau government can endure.
The Global Times mocked Canada for joining the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy belatedly, unlike the UK, France, and Japan, and said that if Canada wants to show its own values and presence, it must first eliminate its dependence on the United States.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) analyzed that Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy report targets China. SCMP explained that China issued the Indo-Pacific strategy report to prevent changes in the status quo in Taiwan, the South China Sea, and East Asia. It also reported a very strong Chinese reaction.
Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned, "Taiwan, Xinjiang Uyghur, Hong Kong, and Taiwan issues are purely China's internal affairs, and China will never tolerate reckless remarks or criticism from external forces." Zhao urged, "Canada's words and actions must be consistent," and added, "If the Canadian government truly wants to improve bilateral relations, it must keep its promises."
Relations between China and Canada deteriorated after Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's vice-chairwoman, was arrested and placed under house arrest in Canada in 2018.
Moreover, on the 16th, Chinese President Xi Jinping was seen raising issues with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 summit venue, saying, "Everything we discussed has been published in the newspapers," further indicating the worsening state of bilateral relations.
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