Question Period Note: CANADA AND CHINA

• Why is the Government not taking seriously the security threat posed by China?

• This Government recognizes the need to engage with international partners, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, to maintain peace and security.
• The Canadian Armed Forces and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army maintain regular high-level interactions on issues of mutual interest.
• This reflects the importance of maintaining relations with China and the significant role China plays in the Asia-Pacific security environment.
• This Government will continue to develop a strong relationship with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

If pressed on Canadians detained in China
* Canada remains deeply concerned by China’s actions, including the arbitrary detention and sentencing of Canadian citizens.

If pressed on the Canadian Armed Forces Sport Delegation to the World Military Games in China
* Military sporting events provide an opportunity for the Canadian Armed Forces to represent Canada on the world stage.
* Canada regularly participates in these events to foster cooperation and dialogue with allies, partners and other participating countries.
* In consultation with Global Affairs Canada, National Defence sent a Canadian delegation of 114 athletes to the 2019 World Military Games.
* Canadian military athletes earned 6 medals and helped to foster dialogue with representatives from military forces around the world.

If pressed on Huawei
* The Government of Canada takes the security of our country’s critical infrastructure very seriously.
* 5G networks will be a key driver of innovation and enable new technologies such as cleaner energy, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles.
* While I cannot comment on specific companies, the Government of Canada is currently reviewing its approach to emerging 5G technology.
* Public Safety and its partners, including the Communications Security Establishment are working together on this important issue.
* We are committed to the security of Canadian networks and will take the appropriate decision in due course.

BACKGROUND

• Strong, Secure, Engaged identifies China as a rising economic power with an increasing ability to project influence globally. The policy identifies the need for all states in the Asia-Pacific region to peacefully manage and resolve disputes in accordance with international law and avoid coercion and other actions that could escalate tension, in light of China’s activities in the South China Sea.

• The policy states that we will develop stronger relationships with other countries in the region, particularly China.

Canadian Armed Forces Sport Delegation to the World Military Games in China

• The Military World Games organisation hosts over 20 sports competitions around the world every year. It hosts its official World Games every four years.

• The 2019 Games were held in Wuhan, China. The Games hosted 9,308 military athletes from 109 countries. 25 out of 27 NATO countries participated in the games. Iceland and the United Kingdom did not participate.

• Canadian Armed Forces members competed in the following events: basketball, fencing, golf, running, sailing, shooting, soccer, swimming, taekwondo, triathlon, and volleyball.

• Canada won 6 medals:

  • 2 gold in triathlon
  • 1 silver in taekwondo
  • 1 silver in triathlon
  • 2 bronze in taekwondo

Huawei

• As part of its cyber security mandate, the Communications Security Establishment works with telecommunications service providers representing over 99% of Canadian subscribers. In this role, the Communications Security Establishment provides advice and guidance to mitigate supply chain risks in telecommunications infrastructures upon which Canadians rely, including, since 2013, a program that has been in place to test and evaluate designated equipment and services considered for use on Canadian 3G and 4G/LTE networks, including Huawei.

• Third party labs accredited by the Communications Security Establishment perform this testing. The role of the Communications Security Establishment includes accrediting the third party labs that perform this assurance testing and defining the testing requirements. The Communications Security Establishment reviews the testing results and provides tailored advice and guidance to Canada’s telecommunications sector.

• While non-disclosure agreements limit the degree to which the Communications Security Establishment can comment on specific details, Canadians can be assured that the Government of Canada is working to make sure that robust protections are in place to safeguard the communications systems that Canadian rely on.

RECENT PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST

• There was sustained interest in China during the last Parliamentary session. The official opposition focused on multiple issues including the diplomatic relations between Canada and China, the detention of Meng Wanzhou by Canada and the accompanying comments made by Canada’s former ambassador to China, the arbitrary detention of Canadian citizens by China, the use of Huawei technology in Canadian 5G networks, and the Prime Minister’s trip to China, in question period.

RECENT MEDIA INTEREST

• Following the Halifax International Security Forum in November, the media extensively covered Canada’s relationship with China, including the federal Government’s review of the use of Huawei technology in 5G networks.

GBA+

• Nil.

INDIGENOUS

• Nil.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Communications Security Establishment

QUICK FACTS

• National Defence sent a Canadian delegation of 114 athletes to the 2019 World Military Games held in China.