Canadian military wants to get friendly with China, Or Maybe China Wants Canada

Canadian military wants to get friendly with China

 

 

BY LEE BERTHIAUME, POSTMEDIA NEWS JUNE 3, 2013

 

 

what are these goons doing?

 

 

Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, speaks at the 12th Asia Security Summit in Singapore on Sunday, June 2.

Photograph by: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images , Postmedia News

OTTAWA — Canada is looking past concerns about Chinese cyber-espionage and aggression in the South China Sea in an effort to build military-to-military relations with the emerging Asian power — and prevent a possible war.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay became the first Western defence minister to meet with Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan during a stop in Beijing on Monday, where the two announced several initiatives aimed at opening channels between their respective militaries.

This included plans to establish regular discussions at the highest levels to talk about issues of common interest, and a commitment to establish a working relationship so the Canadian Forces and Chinese military can participate in joint exercises and other activities.

In an interview with Postmedia News, MacKay said the Conservative government is working to increase contacts between the Canadian and Chinese militaries in the hopes of building trust between the two countries.

“These types of face-to-face discussions really add value and build that sense of mutual understanding and trust that is critical in a very volatile world,” MacKay said. “The risk of miscalculation and misunderstanding can be grave.”

There has been no shortage of tension between China and its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region over sensitive territorial claims in the South China Sea, which has resulted in a great deal of sabre-rattling in recent months.

At the same time, Western countries such as the United States have accused the Chinese government of having a hand in cyber-espionage attacks that have seen classified military information stolen, including data on the F-35 stealth fighter.

The fact that China has become one of the world’s most economically dynamic nations has highlighted the risks of war in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in the U.S. pivoting its military focus from Europe during old Cold War-era to Asia.

China has responded by calling the U.S. redeployments to the region as confrontational, further escalating tensions on both sides of the Pacific.

MacKay’s visit was the latest military exchange between Canada and China. Former chief of defence staff Walter Natynczyk spent more than a week in the Asian nation last year. Briefing notes prepared for Natynczyk in advance of his March 2012 trip highlight Canadian interests in peace and stability in the region.

But rather than deploying large numbers of troops to the region, the notes indicate the hope that high-level military engagement will “produce greater understanding of (China’s) motives and world view.”

“In support of national interests, DND is initiating an engagement strategy to develop a relationship with the (Chinese military) upon which we can build dialogue and trust,” the notes say.

“We are fully aware that this is a long-term project, and that progress will be slow, but it appears that China is equally willing to engage with us.”

However, MacKay said Canada is concerned about the South China Sea disputes and allegations of Chinese hacking.

“It was one of the first things I raised in our bilateral meeting,” he said. “I called upon my colleague to work more constructively with other countries, including Canada and internationally, in moving towards a more rules-based forum and mechanism to contain cyber-attacks and hacking, as it’s commonly known.”

But MacKay maintained that the Conservative government and Canadian military “don’t perceive China as a threat, militarily, to Canada,” and insisted talking to each other is the best way to avoid conflict.

He noted China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth approximately $70 billion each year, which reiterates the need to develop a close working relationship based on transparency and understanding.

“This comes back to the issue of trust and confidence in one another and the desire to avoid mishaps or miscalculations,” MacKay said. “This is about increasing our ability to work internationally with China. It’s in recognition of the fact that China plays a very prominent role, not only in Pacific, but globally.”