China is concentrating on a "pattern of coercive diplomacy," as per Canada's defence minister
Key Takeaways:
- Anand spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue plenary session in Singapore on Sunday.
- With 38 surface ships, four submarines, nine national land forces, over 170 aircraft, and approximately 25,000 soldiers, the exercise will include 26 nations, including India.
China has demonstrated a "history of coercive diplomacy, irresponsible state-backed cyber activities, and theft of foreign property and sensitive technology," according to Canada's Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, and such "violations of rules and norms cannot be accepted."
On Sunday, Anand delivered these remarks at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue plenary session. "She described the threat environment, including Russia's challenge to the rules-based global system and China's increasingly assertive behavior in the area and beyond," according to a release from the Ministry of Defence on Monday.
"Canada will continue to fight to defend the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific area through deeper defense connections, enhanced multilateral collaborations, and a comprehensive, new Indo-Pacific Strategy," she was quoted as saying in the announcement.
After participating in the biennial multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, sponsored by the United States from June 29 to August 4, Canada will deploy two regional frigates, according to the announcement. Following a 2020 rendition cut short due to the entrance of the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be the exercise's 28th iteration.
The exercise will involve 26 nations, including India, with 38 surface ships, four submarines, 9 national land forces, more than 170 aircraft, and nearly 25,000 soldiers. China attended RIMPAC in 2014 and 2016 but was kicked out in 2018 due to its militarization of South China Sea islands.
"HMCS (Her Majesty's Canadian Ship) Winnipeg and HMCS (Her Majesty's Canadian Ship) Vancouver, together with their embarked helicopter detachments, will depart for RIMPAC, the world's largest naval exercise, in the coming days and then begin a deployment in the Indo-Pacific region," according to the release.
Anand, of Indian descent, called Canada's contributions to the region "important" and "increasing," noting that she has roots in the area.
"Canada's commitment to constructing a free, open, as well as inclusive Indo-Pacific, including under the upcoming Indo-Pacific Strategy to further guide Canadian engagement in the region, and also emphasized Canada's objective to diversify and raise its supportive presence in the region from a defense perspective," she added.