Canada-Asia Relations
Encyclopedia
Canada-Asia Relations are relations between Canada
and Asia
n countries. These include bilateral
relations between Canada and individual Asian states and multilateral relations through groups such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.
. This is because until the establishment of responsible government
Canada's foreign affairs were mainly handled by Britain
. Canada also shares a colonial past with Asian countries previously under French rule, 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 The Act was repealed in 1947.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.
. This is contrasted with warmer ties with countries like South Korea
, with whom Canada has relaxed visa, educational and trade policies.
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
.
Canada maintains close ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
through the Joint Cooperation Workplan signed between the two parties.
Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are all members of la Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
is the major port for Canada's trade with Asia. 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.
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.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n countries. These include bilateral
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
relations between Canada and individual Asian states and multilateral relations through groups such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Historical relations
Canada's relations with Asia stem from their respective colonial pasts, particularly with those countries who are also members of the British Commonwealth of NationsCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. This is because until the establishment of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
Canada's foreign affairs were mainly handled by Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Canada also shares a colonial past with Asian countries previously under French rule, namely Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. 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
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
. Canada was one of the founding members, which also included the Asian states of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, then known as Siam.
The 1923 Chinese Immigration Act
Chinese Immigration Act, 1923
The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, known in the Chinese Canadian community as the Chinese Exclusion Act, was an act passed by the Parliament of Canada, banning most forms of Chinese immigration to Canada...
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
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
The next significant interaction with Asia was the Canadian's involvement in fighting the Japanese in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the War the majority of Japanese-Canadians were placed in internment camps
Japanese Canadian internment
Japanese Canadian internment refers to confinement of Japanese Canadians in British Columbia during World War II. The internment began in December 1941, following the attack by carrier-borne forces of Imperial Japan on American naval and army facilities at Pearl Harbor...
under the War Measures Act
War Measures Act
The War Measures Act was a Canadian statute that allowed the government to assume sweeping emergency powers in the event of "war, invasion or insurrection, real or apprehended"...
.
Canada also partook in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
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
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
.
Today, Asian-Canadians comprise about 11.73% of Canada's total population.
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 rightsHuman rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. This is contrasted with warmer ties with countries like South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, with whom Canada has relaxed visa, educational and trade policies.
Canada is one of 41 countries participating in the International Security Assistance Force
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(ISAF) mission in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, 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
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
.
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.Canada maintains close ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated ASEAN rarely ), is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has...
through the Joint Cooperation Workplan signed between the two parties.
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%. 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 VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
is the major port for Canada's trade with Asia. This has prompted the Canadian government's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is an integrated set of investment and policy measures of the Canadian federal government that are focused on trade with the Asia-Pacific Region.-The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor:...
.
Canada is currently negotiating Free Trade Agreements with South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and is engaged in discussions for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is a free trade agreement between India and South Korea.The agreement was signed on August 7, 2009. The signing ceremony took place in Seoul and the agreement was signed by Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and South Korean Commerce Minister Kim...
with India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It also has several Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements with Asian countries.
According to the China Goes Global Survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, created by an Act of Parliament in 1984, is an independent, not-for-profit think-tank on Canada's relations with Asia.-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.
Canada-Asia Relations by Country
- Canada-People's Republic of China relationsCanada-People's Republic of China relationsCanada–People's Republic of China relations were established in 1970 after Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau recognized the People's Republic of China, becoming one of the first Western countries to recognize the PRC. Canada has deep cultural links with China being home to a large Chinese...
- Canada-India relations
- Canadian-Japanese relationsCanadian-Japanese relationsCanadian-Japanese relations is a phrase to describe the foreign relations between Canada and Japan. The two countries enjoy an amicable companionship in many areas; Diplomatic relations between both countries officially began in 1950 with the opening of the Japanese consulate in Ottawa...
- Canada–South Korea relations
- Afghanistan-Canada relationsAfghanistan-Canada relationsAfghanistan–Canada relations are relations between Afghanistan and Canada.The Canadian government announced in February 2009 that it was adding Afghanistan to its list of preferred countries to receive foreign aid...
- Canada–Pakistan relationsCanada–Pakistan relationsPakistan and Canada are on compatible terms with each other. Canada is represented through its embassy in Islamabad, and Pakistan is represented through its embassy in Ottawa...