Happy 2026, CCF readers. This week's edition is a long one: the US' occupation of Venezuela, record-breaking US arms deals with Taiwan, Chinese war drills in the Taiwan strait, and promising meetings between high-level Canadian and Chinese officials. Plus, the Canadian Prime Minister is now officially slated to visit China for the first time in eight years. 

Until next time,

Georgia (georgiajinkelly@uvic.ca)
Communications Director

Date: January 19, 2026
Time: 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET
Speaker: Senator Yuen Pau Woo

What effect will the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) have on racialized groups and dissident voices in Canadian politics? FITAA, under consultation until February 2nd, is Ottawa's latest move in its campaign against foreign interference, which up to this point has largely served to silence and intimidate Chinese Canadians without grounds. Senator Yuen Pau Woo, co-founder of Canadians United Against Modern Exclusion, discusses how FITAA, despite lawmakers' best intentions, will unintentionally bolster the exclusion of particular groups in Canadian politics.

Until February 2nd, Canadians can voice their opposition to the act. See attached flyer for guidance. 

Register for the webinar HERE

Kevin P. Gallagher is a Professor of Global Development Policy at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and the Director of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center. He serves as the Lead Expert on Multilateral Development Bank Reform to the Brazilian Presidency of the G20. 

Gregory T. Chin is an Associate Professor of Political Economy at York University, Canada, and a Senior Fellow of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, and of the Foreign Policy Institute at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, and an Associate of LSE IDEAS. He is Co-Director of the Emerging Global Governance Project at Global Policy journal online.

Register for the talk HERE

Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China next week — the first visit to the country by a Canadian prime minister in more than eight years — as the two countries move to restore stronger ties after years of trade and political tensions.

Prime Minister Mark Carney tells CBC News chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that AI, critical minerals and defence are all areas where Canada would not have a 'deep relationship' with China.

Both sides agreed to implement the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance consular exchanges and cooperation, address each other's legitimate concerns, and make positive contributions to the sound, stable, and sustainable development of China-Canada relations.

This week I was in China on behalf of Mark Carney, to engage with Chinese officials as a follow up to the leader’s bilateral at APEC, and in advance of a visit by the Prime Minister at the invitation of President Xi, at a time that is mutually convenient.

Published: August 26, 2025

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalating due to intensified military drills, nationalist rhetoric and increased arms support. Maintaining strategic ambiguity, reviving diplomatic frameworks like the 1992 Consensus and fostering dialogue –  particularly through middle powers – are critical to preventing a catastrophic regional war.

Published: January 4, 2026

China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forcibly seizing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The U.S.’s move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.

[UN Secretary General António Guterres] stressed that respect for international law must remain the guiding principle, voicing concern that the rules governing the use of force “have not been respected” in the 3 January military action.  

Published: January 5, 2026
Written by: Shawn Mccarthy

Prime Minister Mark Carney's cautious tone is a clear indication of the fraught path ahead as he seeks to lessen economic dependence on the United States, increase trade ties with Asia, and avoid further confrontation with an unpredictable and combative Donald Trump.

The recent announcement by the U.S. government of a record-breaking $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan marks a dangerous escalation that threatens to shatter the fragile peace of the Taiwan Strait. This is no longer about maintaining a “defensive” balance; it is a calculated effort to turn Taiwan into a front-line arsenal, pushing the region toward the brink of a conflict that neither the people of Taiwan nor the world can afford.

ROK President Lee Jae Myung Jae Myung said he hoped the visit would provide an opportunity to advance Korea-China ties into a new phase and help address lingering differences between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Sunday termed Pakistan-China friendship “vital” for regional peace and stability as both leaders co-chaired the 7th round of the Pakistan–China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

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