Report

INTRODUCTION

The Canadian delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) has the honour to present its report on the meeting of the NATO PA Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities (DSCFC), which was held between 10 and 14 June 2019 in Beijing and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The Parliament of Canada was represented by the Honourable Joseph A. Day, Senator. The Sub-Committee’s delegation included 13 parliamentarians from 9 NATO member countries.

THE CHINESE PERSPECTIVE

China’s explosive growth has had a direct impact on the conduct of international affairs. In the last 30 years, China has evolved from a somewhat isolated nation to a key player on the world stage. The main purpose of this NATO PA mission was to hear the Chinese perspective on these issues and the relationship between NATO and China.

Over the course of the mission, NATO PA delegates met with Chinese leaders, senior officials, military officials and academics.

Discussion topics for these meetings included

• the Chinese perspective on regional security;
• relations between China and the European Union;
• the Chinese perspective on political and economic relations in the Asia‑Pacific region and around the world;
• US-China security relations; and
• the international trade dispute between China and the United States. 

The meetings revealed that China and the West have significant gaps in perception on a number of geopolitical, trade and economic issues. As a result, it is in the interest of all parties to continue the dialogue.

** This report summary was written by the Secretariat of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Read the original report.

Respectfully submitted,