Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 03/2014

Facing West, Facing North: Canada and Australia in East Asia

Leonard Edwards, Peter Jennings

February 2014

Centre for International Governance Innovation

Abstract

Canada and Australia have shared interests in bolstering economic prosperity and security cooperation across East Asia. The focus of the world economy has shifted to Asia; Canada should follow the path Australia has taken for decades and orient itself — in economic and security terms — toward the emerging economies of East Asia. The risk of regional instability is growing, however, due to China’s re-emergence, continued speculation about US strategic engagement in Asia and increased competition over disputed maritime boundaries. These developments provide opportunities for collaboration between countries like Canada and Australia. Non-traditional security threats, including natural disasters, climate change, food security and cyber security, point to a range of areas where the two countries can work more closely together. Direct bilateral engagement between Canada and Australia should cover the following four areas: strengthening regional security; bolstering regional governance mechanisms; enhancing bilateral defence and security cooperation; and boosting industrial and economic cooperation. This special report, co-published with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, calls for policy makers and business leaders in Canada and Australia to consider the broader and longer-term benefits of greater bilateral and multilateral cooperation in East Asia.