The Canadian government is strengthening ties with Beijing as reports from the Chinese government indicate a recent “frank” discussion on military matters with Canadian officials. This meeting, held on September 4 in Canada according to Beijing, signifies a shift from past diplomatic tensions and has sparked concerns among Conservative critics who oppose military collaboration with China.
According to China’s defence ministry, the two nations engaged in their fifth defence coordination dialogue last week, a statement later confirmed by Canada’s Defence Department. The dialogue involved a thorough discussion on international and regional issues of mutual concern, with both sides expressing a commitment to enhancing practical exchanges and cooperation between their militaries to foster mutual trust.
Although Ottawa has refrained from military exercises or cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army since 2018 amidst a diplomatic standoff involving the detention of two Canadians by Beijing, the recent talks marked a resumption of military discussions after an eight-year hiatus, as stated by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa.
Canada’s Department of National Defence, however, did not endorse this narrative but emphasized that the meeting was conducted to support ongoing military-to-military communications at the operational level. The department stressed the government’s strategy of establishing clear boundaries in its relationship with China, outlining areas for potential deeper cooperation while explicitly excluding defense collaboration.
Despite the government’s assertions, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the talks with Beijing, citing previous concerns about China being Canada’s primary global threat. Poilievre questioned the shift in policy, emphasizing the need to maintain a cautious stance towards a regime that has engaged in activities like detaining Canadians, election interference, and establishing police stations on Canadian soil.
In early 2024, Canadian military officials expressed a desire for increased dialogue with their Chinese counterparts, following an incident in 2023 involving a high-altitude balloon that crossed American and Canadian airspace from China. This incident prompted efforts to move beyond confrontational exchanges towards rebuilding relationships, as highlighted by Canadian military representatives.
The ambassador of China at the time expressed reservations about these efforts, citing Canada’s naval presence in the Taiwan Strait as a point of contention and emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in bilateral interactions.
