2022 JACAC Student Forum: Lecture 6

Title:

“What Can Canada and Japan Do to Lower the Dangers of War in Taiwan and the South China Sea?” by Dr. David Welch, University Research Chair and Professor of Political Science, University of Waterloo and Balsillie School of International Affairs

Description:

The lecture goes into great detail on what Japan and Canada can do to help to avoid conflicts in Taiwan and in the South China Sea, which are considered among the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. Dr. Welch focuses on the importance of empathy (the capacity to understand another’s view of the world) as one of the most valuable skills for preventing conflicts. Giving an extensive analysis of the situation in Taiwan and in the South China Sea, the speaker criticizes the widely accepted “aggressive China” narrative and argues that China is currently “playing defence, and not offence” in the South China Sea. Thus, in his opinion, cultivating Western empathy with China, as well as deepening Japan-Canada military cooperation, can be important parts of a strategy to ensure peace and stability in that part of the world.

JACAC Student Forum 2022: https://www.ualberta.ca/prince-takamado-japan-centre/news/2022/march/jacac-report.html

Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research: https://www.ualberta.ca/prince-takamado-japan-centre/index.html

Japan Canada Academic Consortium: https://www.jacac.com