Canada and China held their Fifth Defence Coordination Dialogue on Friday, marking the first session of that bilateral channel since April 2018. The meeting took place in Canada.
China’s defense ministry described the discussion in brief terms, stating that “the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, expressed willingness to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, and enhanced mutual understanding and trust.”
Canadian domestic media outlets did not report on the meeting when it occurred. Coverage instead came from foreign outlets, including a South Korean newspaper, which characterized the resumption of talks as an effort by Canada to move away from a U.S.-centric economic and security posture and to expand cooperation with partners such as China and Europe.
The dialogue comes as multiple Canadian government agencies have identified China as the country’s most significant security threat. It also comes amid a period of strained U.S.-Canada relations.
The renewed defense contact follows other recent developments in Canada-China economic relations. Earlier this year, two Canadian-based steel companies were fined a combined $19 million for relabeling Chinese-made steel as Canadian before exporting it to the United States, a practice intended to avoid tariffs. Reports have indicated that the transshipment of Chinese goods through Canada to the U.S. was a significant point of friction in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations.
Canada has also moved to allow imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, which are barred from the U.S. market over security concerns tied to their software.
The timing of the defense dialogue drew additional attention because it coincided with a visit by U.S. Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel Paparo to Victoria, British Columbia, for a meeting of Indo-Pacific military chiefs.
Canada is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, and a Canadian general officer currently serves as deputy commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, underscoring the depth of integration between U.S. and Canadian defense institutions.
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