We sometimes forget this, but Quebec was the first to launch an Indo‑Pacific strategy, a year before Canada.
I also think that Quebec isn't the only one to have done so. There are currently over a dozen Indo‑Pacific strategies, including the strategies of Quebec, Canada and Japan. The Université de Montréal will be holding a summer school solely on this topic.
Quebec's Indo‑Pacific strategy showed that Quebec intends to take its rightful place. Quebec is already involved in “paradiplomacy” at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, and at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
This strategy has made it possible to take a step forward because it focuses on diversity in partners. This reduces dependence on China, which gives Quebec greater leverage in negotiations with China.
If China knows that it's the only one that can offer certain goods, it will obviously take advantage of this. If other partners can offer them, the situation won't be the same. We often forget that the Southeast and South Asian region and India, for example, offer similar products and belong to the same value chains.
Strategies for the Indo‑Pacific show that the global economy has shifted to Asia. The 21st century will be the Asia‑Pacific or Indo‑Pacific century.
They also show the need to develop expertise. It's vital to strengthen the Quebec, Canadian and western expertise needed to do business with the Indo‑Pacific region.
It's necessary to have a presence in this region and to focus on the development of this expertise. We often forget that Southeast Asia has long‑standing intellectual traditions. There are also Asian philosophers whose works are rarely read. This may seem far removed from what we're talking about. However, it helps us to understand the region that we'll be doing business with.
It's also important to connect diasporas with non‑governmental and civil society organizations.
That said, the Indo‑Pacific strategy is a step forward. I welcome this initiative. I think that other strategies are needed too.
The Canadian strategy must remain constant over time. These strategies can't just be launched and then forgotten. A follow‑up is crucial.
Pragmatism is a core value in Asian countries.