That's a big canvas, of course, Mr. Garrison, but I think we're going through a period of rapid and fundamental strategic change in the Asia-Pacific region.
People are very credibly claiming that there is an arms race under way in north Asia in conventional weapons systems. I don't think that is an exaggeration.
Of course, the lead in that race is China, with a most remarkably fast and sophisticated expansion of all of its military capabilities, but particularly its maritime capabilities. What I would say to the committee in that regard is, don't worry too much about the Chinese aircraft carrier. The things to be focusing on are the developments around missiles, around supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles and all of that technology that is designed to push the U.S. and the allied navies as far away from the Chinese mainland as they possibly can.
This is a dynamic and changing region and one where there is increasing risk for all countries, but particularly for countries such as Canada, which has a significant borderline on the Pacific Ocean. It would be probably rude of me to come here to this committee to talk about Canadian strategic perceptions, but I think inevitably Canada's interests will draw it more into engagement in the Pacific with its military, which is something Australia would welcome.