“We will engage in diplomacy because we think diplomacy is a strength, at the same time we’ll be firm and that’s why we have now a very transparent plan to engage with China,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.

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Trudeau’s Liberal government wants to diversify trade and economic ties that are overwhelmingly reliant on the United States. Official data for September show bilateral trade with China accounted for under 7 per cent of the total, compared to 68 per cent for the US.

The document underscored Trudeau’s dilemma in forging ties with China, which offers significant opportunities for Canadian exporters.

Yet, it said cooperation with the world’s second-biggest economy was necessary to address some “existential pressures”, including climate change, global health and nuclear proliferation.

“China is an increasingly disruptive global power,” said the strategy. “Our approach ... is shaped by a realistic and clear-eyed assessment of today’s China. In areas of profound disagreement, we will challenge China.”

The document said Canada would boost its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region and “increase our military engagement and intelligence capacity as a means of mitigating coercive behaviour and threats to regional security”.

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That would include annual deployment of three frigates to the region, from two currently, as well as participation of Canadian aviators and soldiers in regional military exercises, Defence Minister Anita Anand said at a separate news conference.

It said Ottawa was engaging in the region with partners such as the United States and the European Union.