bout de papier, Vol. 14, No. 1 (1997) — Spring 1997 // Printemps 1997, p. 2
Over the last two decades, many countries of Asia Pacific have sustained growth rates that are among the fastest in the world. With each passing year the region is emerging as the dynamic colossus of the new world economic order. The cumulative effect of annual growth rates from 5% to 10% per annum over the last two decades is increasingly evident. Per capita incomes in Japan, Hong Kong, Brunei and Singapore now exceed Canada’s. Cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok and Jakarta in just a few years have been modernized and transformed beyond recognition. The ideology of the Cold War no longer divides the region and the embrace of the market system and globalization is, at least de facto, almost universally recognized
The region already includes five of Canada’s top ten trading partners. By 2020, seven of the world’s largest economies, and 60% of world trade will originate in Asia- Pacific. The region has massive infrastructure requirements which tie in closely to Canadian capabilities. And Canada, in assuming the Chairmanship of APEC, in declaring 1997 as the Year of Asia Pacific and in mounting three high profile Team Canada missions to the region since late 1994, is well poised to enhance its own economic well-being by attaching ourselves to the Asian miracle. At least, that is the current wisdom.
As we approach the “Pacific Century”, strengthening Canada’s relationships with Asian economies is crucial to our medium and long term economic security. If Canada does not increase its capacity to participate in this booming market, we risk losing out. Yet there are worrying signs this is exactly what is happening.
Our bilateral trade with Asia Pacific is growing, but our market share in recent years has declined, and declined significantly. Constant “resource reduction” exercises over more than a decade have left the Departmental presence in many missions at a skeleton staff level, and far below that of our competitors. Discussions in the Department are not based on where we will expand our resources in the region but where we will cut back and what missions may be closed. There are Embassies in the region staffed by only one Canada-based officer. This seems inimical to much of the official messaging about Canada’s commitment and makes no sense. Moreover Asia Pacific is a region that assigns a high value to a strong government leadership role and in which local presence is vital. High profile Team Canada visits to countries in the region have a great impact, but it is the long term presence and demonstrable commitment that are the keys to market success. And it is here where the gap between rhetoric on the one hand and resource commitments on the other is at its most profound. This at a time when the stakes have never been higher.
The programming and activities associated with Canada’s Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP) will present a chance to mobilize new participants in our relationships across the Pacific. Its program orientation is designed to build greater understanding of how to do business in the region and on how Asia Pacific affects our national life. A series of events are scheduled across Canada culminating in the hosting of the APEC Summit meeting in Vancouver in November. By fortuitous circumstances, the summit of la Francophonie will be held in Asia (Vietnam) for the first time in November as well. The key will be to sustain the CYAP feeling, and transform it into a long term partnership that takes us well into the new millenium. Will that happen? On verra.
In this and the next two issues, we will be reserving space for articles that highlight this dynamic and exciting region. Articles will be identified on the Contents page with the special CYAP logo (see ghosted behind this editorial). Asia-Pacific related articles in this edition feature Mexico, Vietnam (two articles with a historical flavour) and China (a full-length book review by former Canadian Ambassador Fred Bild). Even A Aalto has caught the fever: Tweedie in Love is mystified in Central Asia. Our next edition will feature an interview with John Bell, former High Commissioner to Malaysia and currently Ambassador for Asia Pacific. Further contributions from readers who have a particular knowledge of the region and/or who are stationed there are most welcome.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 14, No. 1 (1997) — Spring 1997 // Printemps 1997, p. 2. Read the rest of this issue →
