Another aspect we haven't discussed much is the expertise of civil society organizations in those regions and in Canada. They can get to the most difficult regions, such as China, to conduct investigations.
I think it's important to listen to human rights groups, to raise awareness about their reports and findings, and to draw on their expertise. Often, embassy staff cannot travel to regions in conflict. They lack direct connections there.
Why not also tap into the expertise of the diaspora here in Canada?
There are nine million Canadians of Asian descent who are familiar with the region, but we don't actively engage them very much. I think constructive engagement is a good idea, but it needs to take place in forums, among other things.
Another effective approach we advocate for is building consensus through in-depth dialogue behind closed doors rather than in public, which allows the parties to address issues directly.
I believe this kind of diplomacy must be subtle and carefully calibrated, but we must stand firm. I completely agree with what you're saying. We have to stand firm on basic principles of human rights. However, in terms of how we go about things, we need to be creative and find ways to move forward that also align with these countries' foreign policy approaches.