Eyes on Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region, stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Indian Ocean, is home to three of the world’s largest economies – China, India and Japan.

Imagine the region, some 17 years from now:

“By 2040 – less than two decades from now – the region will account for more than half of the global economy, or more than twice the share of United States. By 2030, it will be home to two-thirds of global middle class, having lifted millions out of poverty through economic growth.”

How do I know this? I’ve been studying Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), a 10-year roadmap that would strengthen its presence in the region. The embassy of Canada in the Philippines recently hosted a roundtable discussion with journalists on the so-called IPS, which was announced in Vancouver in November last year.

The briefing was held ahead of the presentation of credentials to President Marcos by David Hartman, the new Canadian ambassador to the Philippines, succeeding Peter MacArthur.

An official from the embassy who asked not to be identified for now, gave the briefing and said part of the strategy is also to enhance relations with the Philippines, which have been strained during the Duterte administration when Canada called out the former president’s violent war on drugs.

Says Canada in its strategy:

“The rise of the Indo-Pacific and the profound impacts the region will have on the lives of all Canadians demand a comprehensive, whole-of-society strategy to guide Canada’s actions. Canada must invest resources and build knowledge and capacity to engage. How Canada engages in the region will set the pace for the future and prosperity of our economy, security and stability.

“To seize opportunities in the national interest of Canadians, while defending the values they hold dear, Canada will invest in building capacity to engage with countries across the region, while paying particular attention to Australia, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, China, India, Japan, Pacific Island countries, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.”

Five strategic objectives

The IPS has five strategic objectives – to promote peace, resilience and security; expand trade, investment and supply chain resilience; invest in and connect people; build a sustainable and green future and for Canada to be an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific.

Human rights; trade and investment

For sure, the Philippines can greatly benefit from Ottawa’s five strategic pillars, whether it’s through improving security, enhancing trade, bringing in more investments to the country, etc.

I believe our economy will get a boost as Canada seeks to expand export partners and create partnerships abroad to grow its own economy, create jobs and keep its competitive advantage.

“The Indo-Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing economic region and its importance will only continue to expand over time. In a world increasingly shaped by tensions, trade is not only an economic but also a geopolitical priority. It is also uniquely vulnerable to supply chain disruptions emerging from the region, as demonstrated during the pandemic,” Canada said in its IPS.

Furthermore, Canada will launch a Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s businesses.

But our authorities must note that there’s no such thing as free lunch.

Canada will continue to keep a close watch on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

However, during the briefing, I got a sense that under the Marcos administration, the possibility of better relations between Canada and the Philippines is strong.

The official indicated that President Marcos had expressed more willingness to rebuild relations with Canada.

In fact, a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation, which would translate to training and exercises, had been finalized between the two countries.

‘Disruptive China’

Outside the Philippines, Canada’s IPS will also largely focus on dealing with “disruptive China” and it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Note that the Philippines, too, faces defense challenges posed by China.

How will the Philippines establish improved relations with both Canada and China amidst such dynamics? We will wait and see.

As I write this, President Marcos is in Beijing for a quick state visit, which makes for another story, too.

For sure, Canada has vowed to deal with China, calling it a “disruptive global power.”

“China is looking to shape the international order into a more permissive environment for interests and values that increasingly depart from ours. And China’s rise as a global actor is reshaping the strategic outlook of every state in the region, including Canada,” according to the embassy briefing.

At the same time, Canada recognizes 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 preventing future pandemics and nuclear non-proliferation.

“We will challenge China when we ought to. And we will cooperate with China when we must.”

At the end of the day, it’s also largely about people, Canada said.

“Canada will forge ahead with a strong, broad-based approach to China. We must always remember to differentiate between the actions of the current Chinese government, with whom we have differences, and the Chinese people.

“The bedrock of our relations remains the people of Canada and China. The long-standing connections we share and the extraordinary contributions of Canadians of Chinese origin to Canada will continue to bring diversity and depth to our relationship for decades to come,” it said.

Overall, there are many good things in Canada’s much touted Indo-Pacific Strategy. As a country that values democracy, inclusive and accountable governance and human rights, Canada can certainly help the region, including the Philippines.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.