Sunday, November 27, Canada handed over an envelope of 2.3 billion Canadian dollars (about 1.65 billion euros) for its economic and diplomatic strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, where Ottawa seeks to prosper. “authentic and trusted partner” against China.

To strengthen its presence and influence in the Asia-Pacific, Ottawa plans to strengthen its military capabilities in the Pacific, including the delivery of frigates, trade and investment development, support for “feminist international aid”, infrastructure financing “sustainable” and the strengthening of Canada’s diplomatic network, says a press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Canada wants to be a “genuine and reliable partner”

“The future of the Indo-Pacific belongs to us; we have a role to play in shaping it. For this, we must become sincere and reliable partners. among the Western allies, the head of Canadian diplomacy, Mélanie Joly, pleaded in this press release.

“This strategy sends a clear message: Canada is present in the region and will remain there. he insisted.

This roadmap aims to “deepen our engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next 10 years and increase our contribution to regional peace and security”, show documents.

This strategy was formalized following a regional tour by Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau and Mélanie Joly, who took part in several summits: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the G20 in Bali, Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) ), in Bangkok.

Compete with China

Canada, which is in conflict with China, has made no secret of the fact that its strategy for the region was formulated in response to Beijing’s influence.

“There is a fundamental problem with the fact that China currently does not follow international standards and tries to modify them or interpret them for its benefit,” he added. declared Minister Joly to the Quebec daily La Presse. “There are geopolitical risks to doing business in China,” he pointed.