Indo-Pacific : News & Discussion
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Canada: Justin Trudeau government formulates new Indo-Pacific strategy
As Canada formulates a new strategy for the Indo-Pacific, the region will be a key component of its foreign affairs policy as evidenced by its mention in the agenda before the new parliament.As the House of Commons met for the first time after the September elections, Canada’s governor-general Mary Simon outlined the policy priorities of the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and among those was “making deliberate efforts to deepen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific”.
The outlet Globe and Mail reported earlier this month the Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign ministry, is working on a new policy for the Indo-Pacific. A spokesperson for Canada’s new foreign minister Melanie Joly told them that it will comprise “a new integrated approach to the Indo-Pacific region with a view to diversifying Canada’s engagement and deepening its diplomatic, economic, security and sustainable development partnerships”.
The special secretariat tasked with developing the policy is being headed by veteran diplomat Jonathan Fried.
Canada has also had discussions with India in recent times about the region. In fact, Fried recently met India’s high commissioner Ajay Bisaria in Ottawa.
Last week, in her keynote address to the Halifax International Security Forum, Canada’s new defence minister Anita Anand said, “In the Indo-Pacific, Canadian military ships, aircraft, and sailors maintain a solid presence.”
She added that “through Operation Projection, Canadian warships work in lockstep with our partners to maintain a meaningful, and interoperable, allied presence in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world”, referring, in this context, to a recent “sail-through in the Taiwanese strait” in October.
Pressure has been increasing on Canada to be more assertive in the region even as the threat posed by China increases. This matter was also discussed when Trudeau met US President Joe Biden in Washington earlier this month.
Also speaking at the Halifax Forum, North America’s premier event related to global security, Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, argued that the world’s “military and economic centres of gravity have shifted to the Indo-Pacific”.
This new reality was reflected in the speech delivered by Canada’s governor-general on Tuesday. Without mentioning China, Mary Simon said, “In the face of rising authoritarianism and great power competition, Canada must reinforce international peace and security, the rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights.”
Canada: Justin Trudeau government formulates new Indo-Pacific strategy
The Indo-Pacific region will be a core component of Canada government’s foreign affairs policy under PM Justin Trudeau as evidenced by its mention in the agenda before the new parliament.
China for the first time acknowledges Indo-Pacific Initiative - Times of India
China on Tuesday for the first time officially acknowledged the Indo-Pacific initiative, which it spurned all along, and recognised India's and ASEAN countries' outlook for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that gained traction among the South East Asian countries.
m.timesofindia.com
Japan-India-Vietnam trilateral could be created for Indo-Pacific stability
Vietnams PM Pham Minh Chins recent visit to Japan to strengthen strategic partnership aimed at creating peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region amid Chinas hegemonistic designs has opened up the creation of a prospective trilateral – Japan-India-Vietnam which can be termed as JIV.
Full text of a joint statement by S. Korean, U.S., Japanese foreign ministers
HONOLULU, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of a joint statement issued by South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at their trilateral foreign ministerial talks in Honolulu on Saturday.Joint Statement on the U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Meeting
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong met today in Honolulu, Hawaii, to reaffirm the critical importance of strong U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation as we seek to address the most pressing 21st Century challenges. The U.S. Alliances with the ROK and Japan span decades, and our enduring friendship and shared values guide us in our efforts to achieve a prosperous and secure future.
The 21st Century has brought not only new and unprecedented challenges but also tremendous opportunities for our three countries to work together. Underscoring the importance of trilateral cooperation as we navigate an increasingly complicated world, the Secretary and Foreign Ministers committed to expand cooperation and collaboration across a range of regional and global security and economic priorities.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers emphasized their three countries share a common view of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive, and shared respect for the rules-based international order and pledged to further expand their cooperative relationships. The Foreign Ministers welcomed the United States' newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers condemned the DPRK's recent ballistic missile launches and expressed deep concern about the destabilizing nature of these actions. They committed to close trilateral cooperation to achieve complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. They called for full implementation by the international community of relevant UN Security Council resolutions relating to the DPRK and called on the DPRK to cease its unlawful activities and instead engage in dialogue. The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers emphasized they held no hostile intent towards the DPRK and underscored continued openness to meeting the DPRK without preconditions. The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-ROK alliances are essential to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. In this context, they committed to advance trilateral security cooperation. They commended the frequent trilateral discussions between the respective Special Representatives for the DPRK. The Secretary and Foreign Ministers discussed the importance of reuniting separated Korean families, and the swift resolution of the abductions issue.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers discussed the Russian military build-up along Ukraine's borders and shared unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They committed to work closely together to deter further Russian escalation.
Noting their shared concern about activities that undermine the rules-based international order, the Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their desire for a peaceful and stable region that would allow all countries to reach their potential. They expressed strong opposition to any unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo and increase tensions in the region. The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reiterated their governments' longstanding support for international law, highlighting in particular the importance of compliance with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed support for the unity and centrality of ASEAN, which is currently chaired by Cambodia, as well as ASEAN's efforts to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. They also condemned the Myanmar regime's violence committed against the people of Myanmar and committed to intensify efforts toward the immediate cessation of all violence, the release of those who are arbitrarily detained, and a swift return to the path of inclusive democracy.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation to strengthen the rules-based economic order and ensure prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. They discussed common approaches to address priorities including the climate crisis; critical supply chains; gender equality and empowerment; development finance; and global health security including efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent the next. They highlighted the importance of collaboration to strengthen information and cyber security, and also to improve economic security, including by promoting innovation of critical and emerging technologies based on democratic values and respect for universal human rights.
Reaffirming their commitment to U.S.- ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation that is grounded in our shared values and desire for regional peace, stability, and prosperity, the Secretary and Foreign Ministers pledged to continue regular trilateral ministerial consultations.
(END)
Full text of a joint statement by S. Korean, U.S., Japanese foreign ministers | Yonhap News Agency
HONOLULU, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of a joint statement issued b...
amti.csis.org, jan.21
DREDGERS SPOTTED AT CAMBODIA’S REAM NAVAL BASE
Dredgers have been spotted off the coast of Cambodia’s Ream Naval base in government-released photos and satellite imagery. Dredging of deeper port facilities would be necessary for the docking of larger military ships at Ream, and was part of a secret agreement between China and Cambodia that U.S. officials reported seeing in 2019. That deal reportedly granted China military access to the base in return for funding facilities improvements. Cambodian officials have confirmed that China is funding construction at Ream, but maintain that there are no plans for Chinese military access.A January 16 satellite image from commercial provider Maxar shows two clamshell dredgers just off the coast of Ream accompanied by barges for collecting the dredged sand.
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Imagery from Planet Labs shows that both dredgers have remained fixed at these locations since their arrival, which took place between January 13-15. The dredgers were also visible in a photo posted to defense minister Tea Banh’s Facebook page following his January 18 visit to Ream. The photo was taken from the northern half of Ream and shows both clamshell dredgers operating behind another ship, which may be a suction dredger, docked along the coast. Another photoposted by the Secretary of Ream Naval Base shows Tea Banh and his entourage at the same location.
The extent of the planned dredging is unclear, but could mark a significant upgrade in the base’s capabilities. The shallow waters around Ream mean it is currently only able to host small patrol vessels. A deep-water port would make it far more useful to both the Cambodian and Chinese navies.
Construction work has also continued onshore at Ream. Several locations within the main administrative center in the southwest of the base have seen land clearing since AMTI’s last updatein fall 2021. Clearing for roads and a possible fence near a Vietnam-funded hospital at the northeast of the base continues, and a small building and several concrete lots have been built along the coast.
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Taken together, the scale of recent demolition and land clearing, and especially the new dredging activity, indicates that the base is being prepared for significant infrastructure upgrades.
Update: Dredged Pier Constructed at Ream | Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
Construction at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base has accelerated in recent months, especially on the northern end of the facility which is suspected to be set aside for China’s use. A slew of new buildings have gone up alongside major land clearing and, in the latest development, the beginnings of a...
amti.csis.org
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France drops Australia from list of key Indo-Pacific partners
France, a resident power in the Indo-Pacific, has said a degree of trust has been restored with the US but not with Australia
www.deccanherald.com
Quite Frankly with France possessing overseas territories in the Pacific I don't see why didn't they pursue such options before .
I mean the last time France got into a tangle with the ANZUS grouping was way back in the 80's with the Rainbow Warrior episode with NZ . I don't think those relations were quite patched up . Besides relations with the US has it's own dynamics which haven't always been smooth sailing & this is true right since France walked out of NATO at the height of the cold war .
No @WHOHE France may not like the alphabet soup permeating the Anglosphere today but that has nothing to do with LGBT&Q rights in the Rainbow Warrior episode.
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Joint statement following consultations between UK and US Government officials on the Indo-Pacific
Joint statement following consultations between the United Kingdom and United States Government officials on the Indo-Pacific.