Canada, China defence ministers discuss interference, Taiwan, Russia

Canada's defence minister met with his Chinese counterpart to discuss election interference, Taiwan and China's support for Russia.

Defence ministers from Canada and China sat down together for the first time in 11 years at an international security conference last week as the countries work to re-establish lines of communication.

Bill Blair met with Admiral Dong Jun on Friday while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, marking the first meeting between the ministers since 2013.

“Communication between our countries is vital and I welcome further opportunities for dialogue,” Blair said in a statement posted on X.

Blair said he expressed Canada’s concerns about Beijing’s foreign interference, its financial and economic support for Russia, and its recent military exercises in Taiwan.

China staged a simulated blockade of the island in late May after the election of a new government that does not accept Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China.

The subject of China’s actions in Taiwan was also raised by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when he met with Dong on Friday, according to Pentagon officials.

That was the first in-person meeting at the ministerial level since contacts between the American and Chinese militaries broke down in 2022 when then-U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi infuriated Beijing by visiting Taiwan.

In recent years Canada has been taking part in U.S.-led exercises in the Taiwan Strait that American officials say are meant to emphasize freedom of navigation through the region’s contested waters.