China , rattling the sabre, threatens Australia

[bob10]

China issues Australia a blunt warning over South China Sea

[bob10]

"Paper cat "Australia will learn its lesson - Global Times

[Gerokent]

"Paper cat "Australia will learn its lesson - Global Times

Now that's something the mainstream media will never broadcast to us sheeple.
Good article.

cheers

[bob10]

The Philipines has a bet each way.

When superpowers court Rodrigo Duterte - Al Jazeera English

[Pickles2]

Well, I don't mind being flamed & I will say that the article is blatantly "Pro China" as one would expect coming from that source.
I believe Julie Bishop's response on behalf of Australia was exactly the right one, and she has of course, received acclaim for her "no nonsense" response.
I am not one who will support any country building "islands", arming them, and then telling others to keep away.
Pickles.

[DiscoMick]

We have an economy which depends on the Chinese buying our raw materials and on Chinese investment to build our economy. On the other hand, our foreign policy is based on always supporting the Americans. So, if the Americans and the Chinese are in conflict, which side do we choose? Something has to give.

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[Pickles2]

It's not a matter of "Supporting The Americans" at all, (although I knew there would be someone that would just "have" to say that), there are many countries that are affected by this, Japan is another, there are many that have voiced their displeasure.
In addition of course, China's actions have been ruled illegal, or whatever other definition you give it, by an International Court.
And, importantly, and I forgot to mention this in my earlier post, the ALP have stated that they don't think Julie's response was strong enough, and that we should send a naval vessel through there?
The main point here is that China has built Islands & armed them, and is now saying basically, "ya can't go there". That is simply not on, & has nothing to do with supporting, as some have cynically called, "The Land Of The Free"!
So Disco, you don't think what China has done is wrong mate, you think it's just all about us "supporting the U.S.",....even though our ships & ships from every Nation in the World need to pass through there?
Pickles.

[DiscoMick]

I didn't say I don't think what China has done is wrong. It is. Of course we should continue to keep it open to international trade.
I dont think the Chinese want to close it but they do want to control the waterway off their land. The issue is where to draw the boundary. Thats where the Philippines and Vietnam come into it.
I bet the Americans would get very antsy if Chinese warships were patrolling off the American coastline.
Fact is at some point we will have to choose between our economic and military interests.

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[Pickles2]

I hear what you say.
But there will be no "choosing",...what they are claiming is not "theirs" to claim, but they are trying to make it so.....and we are not talking of "off the Chinese Coatline",..it's a FAR greater distance than that.
How would it be if the British exhibited the same sentiments in the English Channel, or if some Mediteranean countries did th same.
Mate, you know as well as I do that the Chinese are getting bigger, stronger, in all sorts of ways, and they sure don't give a stuff about us, (They just do what they like,..Have you seen their recently released "blatant copy" of the landRover Evoque?...it's virtually identical to the U.K. version..JLR are taking action!)....but yes, they do "give a stuff" about the "Good Old U.S. of A", not because they want to, but because they have to, and for all our sakes, I'm glad they do.
But anyway, IMHO, better to keep on track I suppose, so to be simple, I just think China is absolutely wrong, and a stand has to be taken NOW, otherwise where will it end, what else will they decide is "theirs"?
Pickles.
Disco, the Evoque "copy" is called a LandWind X7,....you could google it,...you won't believe the similarity?

[roverv8]

TBH, I think Australia makes far to much noise with these issues...
Us by ourselves don't stand a chance against a country like China, so why do we make so much noise.
Our polies need to sit back & shut up, & only get involved when it comes crunch time. who do they think they are impressing...
Yes im glad we have big brother in the USA, but i think our country is far to vocal with these issues,
especially upsetting a trading partner, i don't see how it's necessary to do this at this point.
Why are the we & USA so friendly with the Japs now, have they forgotten Pearl Harbor, the bombing of Darwin, suddenly were all military pals.....