Background Information
The Chinese Army, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is the unified armed forces of China. The PLA is divided into five service branches: the Ground Force, the Naval Force, the Aerospace Force, the Rocket Force and the Strategic Support Force. Established in 1927, the PLA has been deployed in every major military conflict in China in the last century, from the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War to more recent regional conflicts such as the Sino-Vietnamese War and the Indo-China War.
Despite all this, the PLA has no military presence in Canada, or in any other country outside of China. There have been, however, numerous reports of Chinese military personnel and equipment travelling through Canada on their way to other countries. This has raised concerns about the possibility of the Chinese military establishing a permanent presence in Canada, and other countries around the world.
Relevant Data
The first reports of Chinese military personnel and equipment travelling through Canada surfaced in 2017. In October of that year, Chinese Navy and Air Force planes were spotted in the Canadian Arctic flying in and out of the Canadian Air Force base at Alert, Nunavut. This raised concerns among Canadian officials that the Chinese military was using Canada as a waypoint to other countries, such as the United States.
Other reports have been made of Chinese military personnel travelling to Canada on commercial flights. In 2018, a PLA delegation on a government-funded trip to Toronto was detained by Canadian immigration officials on suspicion of espionage.
Experts Perspectives
Expert opinions on the possibility of the Chinese military establishing a permanent presence in Canada vary widely. Some experts argue that it would be extremely difficult for the Chinese military to do so given the distance from China and the fact that Canada is a member of NATO, an alliance of countries dedicated to the collective defence of its members from external threats.
Others counter that the Chinese military could be looking for a way to circumvent existing security protocols and restrictions on military operations in the Arctic. This could potentially be achieved through the establishment of a Chinese military presence in Canada, which would give them access to resources and technology in the Arctic that are otherwise out of reach.
Analysis
It is difficult to say definitively whether or not the Chinese military is planning to establish a permanent presence in Canada. However, it is clear that they do have an interest in the region and have been travelling through Canadian airspace and visiting the country. Given the close proximity of the US to the Canadian border, it is possible that the Chinese military could be looking for ways to gain access to the US without passing through the more heavily-policed airspace.
Regardless of their intentions, the presence of the Chinese military in Canada has raised a number of questions about the security of the country, as well as its relationship with other countries in the region. It is clear that more research needs to be done to assess the potential implications of the Chinese military establishing a presence in Canada.
Political Implications
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada could have significant political implications. In particular, it could disrupt already fragile relations between China and other countries in the region, such as the United States and Canada. It could also result in increased tension between China and NATO, as well as other countries with close ties to Canada, such as Japan and South Korea.
In addition, the presence of the Chinese military in Canada could lead to increased calls for increased security measures, both in Canada and abroad. This could have the effect of increasing spending on defence measures and the militarization of borders, which could in turn lead to increased tensions between countries.
Legal Implications
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada could also have significant legal implications. In particular, it could lead to questions about the legal status of the Chinese military in Canada, and whether or not they would be allowed to operate in the country without the consent of the Canadian government. In addition, it could create a grey area in terms of how much control the Canadian government would have over the activities of the Chinese military in the country.
Furthermore, there could be questions as to whether or not the Canadian government would be legally obligated to protect its citizens from potential acts of aggression by the Chinese military. These are all questions that will need to be answered should the Chinese military establish a presence in Canada.
Economic Implications
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada could also have significant economic implications. In particular, the presence of the Chinese military in the region could lead to increased investment by Chinese companies in the Canadian economy. This could have a positive impact on the country, as it could provide an influx of foreign capital and create jobs.
However, it may also be seen as a threat to Canadian businesses, as Chinese companies could leverage their military presence to gain an advantage in the local market. This could result in a decrease in competition, which could have a negative effect on the economy.
Cultural Implications
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada could also have significant cultural implications. In particular, the presence of the Chinese military in the region could lead to increased interactions between Chinese and Canadian citizens. This could be a positive development, as Canadians may gain a better understanding of Chinese culture and values, as well as an appreciation of the differences between the two countries.
However, there could also be an increase in negative stereotypes of both Chinese and Canadian citizens, which could lead to increased distrust and animosity between the two countries. It is therefore important that both sides take great care to ensure that any increased interactions between their citizens are respectful and take into account the cultural differences between the two countries.
International Implications
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada could also have significant international implications. In particular, the presence of the Chinese military in the region could strengthen China’s presence in the Arctic, allowing them to pursue a more active role in regional affairs. This could have the effect of increasing competition between China and other regional powers, such as Russia, Canada and the United States.
It could also lead to increased security tensions in the region, as other countries may perceive the Chinese military presence in Canada as a potential threat. This could potentially lead to increased military buildups, which could further destabilize the region.
Conclusion
The potential presence of the Chinese military in Canada is a complex issue that has the potential to have far-reaching implications. It is therefore important that all stakeholders take the time to consider the potential implications of such a presence before reaching a decision. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to allow the Chinese military to establish a presence in Canada is one that should not be taken lightly.
