Asia–Canada relations

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Canada-Asia relations are relations between Canada and Asian countries. These include bilateral relations between Canada and individual Asian states and multilateral relations through groups such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

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Historical relations

Canada's relations with Asia stem from their respective pasts, particularly with those countries who are also members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. This is because until the Balfour Declaration of 1926 Canada's foreign affairs were mainly handled by Britain. Canada also shares a colonial past with Asian countries previously under French rule, Indochina which is namely Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Prior to the establishment of bilateral ties between Asia and Canada, thousands of Chinese and Japanese immigrants arrived in Canada throughout the 19th century.

Direct engagement with Asia began in 1919 with the formation of the League of Nations. Canada was one of the founding members, which also included the Asian states of China, Japan and Thailand, then known as Siam.

The 1923 Chinese Immigration Act banned all immigrants from China, except for those with the title of Diplomat, Merchant or Foreign student. The Act was repealed in 1947.

In 1929 Canada opened a legation in Tokyo.

The next significant interaction with Asia was the Canadian's involvement in fighting the Japanese in World War II. During the War the majority of Japanese-Canadians were placed in internment camps under the War Measures Act.

Canada also partook in the Korean War.

Bilateral diplomatic ties with China were established in 1971, when the two countries exchanged ambassadors. This was followed by a 1973 visit to China by Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Today, Asian Canadians comprise about 11.73% of Canada's total population. [1]

Political relations

Canada's relations with Asia vary significantly between countries. For example, Canada has taken a number of political and economic measures against Burma, whose military government's policies it believes violate human rights. [2] This is contrasted with warmer ties with countries like South Korea, with whom Canada has relaxed visa, educational and trade policies. [3]

Canada is one of 41 countries participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan, where Canada has been engaged in Security and Reconstruction efforts since 2002.

Canada provides aid to many Asian countries, with a special focus on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh. [4]

Intergovernmental Organizations

Canada is a member of APEC, an intergovernmental forum dedicated to promoting free trade and investment, economic growth and development, and cooperation in the Asia–Pacific region. [5]

Canada maintains close ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations through the Joint Cooperation Workplan signed between the two parties. [6]

Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are all members of la Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

Economic relations

Asia's market share (the proportion of Canadian imports) in Canada accounts for 19.2%. [7] 9.83% of total Canadian imports come from China and 3.53% come from Japan. Canada's market share in Asia is only 0.96%, creating a trade deficit. Due to its proximity to Asia across the Pacific Vancouver is the major port for Canada's trade with Asia. [8] This has prompted the Canadian government's Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

Canada is currently negotiating Free Trade Agreements with South Korea and Singapore and is engaged in discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India. It also has several Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements with Asian countries. [9]

According to the China Goes Global Survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Canada is poised to accept a greater share of Chinese investment, as Canada is seen by Chinese investors as having one of the most open attitudes to their presence. [10]

Canada-Asia Relations by Country

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Korea–Taiwan relations</span> Bilateral relations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Look East policy (India)</span> Indias foreign policy dealing with South-East Asian nations

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Integration is a political and economic agreement among countries that gives preference to member countries to the agreement. General integration can be achieved in three different approachable ways: through the World Trade Organization (WTO), bilateral integration, and regional integration. In bilateral integration, only two countries economically cooperate with one another, whereas in regional integration, several countries within the same geographic distance become joint to form organizations such as the European Union (EU) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Indeed, factors of mobility like capital, technology and labour are indicating strategies for cross-national integration along with those mentioned above.

U.S. President Barack Obama's East Asia Strategy (2009–2017), also known as the Pivot to Asia, represented a significant shift in the foreign policy of the United States since the 2010s. It shifted the country's focus away from the Middle Eastern and European sphere and allowed it to invest heavily and build relationships in East Asian and Southeast Asian countries, especially countries which are in close proximity to the People's Republic of China (PRC) either economically, geographically or politically to counter its rise as a rival superpower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asian foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government</span>

The most significant initiative made by the Narendra Modi government is the focus on neighbouring countries and major Asian powers coupled with emphasizing on the two decades old Look East policy. Asia being the major focus area of his foreign policy, Modi and his foreign minister chose several Asian countries for their initial bilateral visits. He has made state visits to Bhutan and Nepal and Japan within the first 100 days of his government and also hosted Asian leaders like former Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia, President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng of Vietnam, apart from inviting SAARC leaders in his inauguration ceremony. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has also made official visits to several Asian capitals like Dhaka, Bangladesh, Kathmandu, Nepal, Naypidaw, Myanmar, Singapore, Hanoi, Vietnam, Manama, Bahrain, Kabul, Afghanistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Malé, Maldives, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Seoul, South Korea and Beijing China.

Vietnam, although a relatively young and small nation, has successfully established trade relations with dozens of countries worldwide. This is especially evident in the number of free trade agreements (FTAs) that the country has signed and is participating in. Being part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), economic opportunities for Vietnam expands beyond bilateral trade agreements with specific countries to include multilateral trade agreements via the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

References

  1. ↑ Proportion of Total Population of Major Asian Ethnic Groups by Province | Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
  2. ↑ "Canada's Policy on Burma". Archived from the original on 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  3. ↑ Canada - Korea Relations
  4. ↑ Asia - CIDA Archived November 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ "APEC 2010 - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation". Archived from the original on 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
  6. ↑ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  7. ↑ Trade Data Online - Home
  8. ↑ Asia's Massive Container Port Development Pressures Canada to Respond - Asia Pacific Bulletin
  9. ↑ Negotiations and Agreements, by Category
  10. ↑ "China Goes Global, 2009 | Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada". Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
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