If you consider how U.S. engagement has fluctuated in the Indo-Pacific region, that could be an example of a step back from which China has benefited. Withdrawing from certain multilateral platforms or cooperative mechanisms that favour diplomatic channels as a potential mechanism for dispute or crisis mitigation is not a solution, because it raises the risk of that.
To promote rules that are beneficial to all actors, we must instead keep as many doors open as possible to foster diplomatic engagement and reinforce less confrontational and more positive tendencies. That role is typically entrusted to middle powers or even smaller powers.
It's especially important that Canada adopt an Indo-Pacific strategy to renew its multilateral engagement in the region. Given the growing concerns about the dynamics between the superpowers in the region, Canada must not only have a formal presence in key institutions, but also informal ears to the ground outside of direct and formal channels.