Mélanie Joly conceded that it remains hard to shut out countries as powerful as China.

Canada will work with China when needed – but challenge it when necessary, the country’s foreign minister said, as the two nations prepare to co-host a major environmental summit despite years of diplomatic tensions.

Speaking to the Guardian after her government released its long-awaited “Indo-Pacific Strategy”, Mélanie Joly said that Canada will “promote and defend” its national interests in a region where nations are jockeying for influence and power.

“We’re a Pacific nation and what happens there matters for Canada. The future of the Indo-Pacific is linked to ours,” she said.

The strategy also makes references to human rights abuses in China, including the persecution of Muslims. Joly said Canada would remain firmly committed to promoting human rights in its interactions with allies in the region.