Canada sees China as 'increasingly disruptive power,' to invest $500M in PH security

From CNN Philippines (May 20, 2023): Canada sees China as 'increasingly disruptive power,' to invest $500M in PH security (By CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 20) — Amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Canada said it sees China as an "increasingly disruptive power" and said it will be investing $500 million in the Philippines' security sector.

In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines' The Final Word, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Ottawa's stance on the East Asian giant is clear and reaffirmed the nation's stand against threats in the WPS.

"Our stance regarding China is clear," she said. "We believe that the country is an increasingly disruptive power, which wants to change international norms to its favor."

"What we want to do is to continue to work with partners to make sure that we respect the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is so key to this region," the minister also said. "We recognize the fact that the 2016 arbitral decision in favor of the Philippines is final and binding."

Joly said Canada is investing $700 million more in the Indo-Pacific region's security sector, with $500 million allocated to the Philippines.

"For a long time, we have been involved but we were not necessarily always seen as reliable," she said. "So we decided to put our money where our mouth is."

According to Joly, the investment is for new frigates and funding for cyber training and intelligence.

In March, the Canadian government expressed openness to work with the Philippines for possible maritime and military cooperation in the WPS.

"We are extremely committed to make sure that at the end of the day, Filipino people, Canadians, everybody in the region is able to continue to live in peace," Joly said.

The foreign minister is in Manila to discuss Ottawa's Indo-Pacific strategy, which seeks to promote economic and people-to-people ties, security cooperation and respect for international law.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/20/china-increasingly-disruptive-power-canada-to-invest-ph-security.html