Pacific Century: What's in It for Canada? (Part One)

Copeland, Daryl, Behind the Headlines

Much of my career has been spent working in, analyzing, and otherwise developing and promoting Canada's relations with the countries of the Asia Pacific region. Nineteen ninety-seven has been designated as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific (CYAP), and Canada is chairing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a broad consortium working to build trade and investment ties throughout the region. The tale of Canada's trans-Pacific engagement, and what is at stake for this country's place in the world, is worth telling, particularly because directions established and decisions taken this year are likely to prove crucial in determining the nature of the coming chapters.

Canada's past was linked very closely to Europe. Our present prospects have been hitched to the United States and the western hemisphere. I believe, however, that a big piece of our future lies in the Asia-Pacific and that the region will play a key role in maintaining our prosperity, security, and independence in the Pacific century.

In my travels around the country delivering this kind of message, some listeners have found the claim extravagant or overly ambitious. Although from about Winnipeg west audiences are receptive - it's a bit …

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Publication information: Article title: Pacific Century: What's in It for Canada? (Part One). Contributors: Copeland, Daryl - Author. Magazine title: Behind the Headlines. Volume: 54. Issue: 3 Publication date: Spring 1997. Page number: 2+. © 2007 Canadian International Council. COPYRIGHT 1997 Gale Group.

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