Thread: China , rattling the sabre, threatens Australia

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

Australia must protect Australia's interest.
The free movement of trade through the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
A slice if the resources pie in the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
Not allowing its self to be bullied by a far greater power is in Australia's interest.
As for which side we would choose. Australia is a free egalitarian open nation. China is a fundamentally corrupt closed nation, which does not allow freedom of expression or freedom of speech. China does not allow political descent. China does not allow foreign ownership of its land.
China has not always and probably will not always be Australia's major trading partner. Backing China in this dispute would alienate Australia from the rest of The rest of Asia From India to Vietnam. I dare say the Russians would be more than a little peeved as well.
Australia has to make a big noise on this issue, as do all of the other smaller Nations because it is in our best interest.

WELL SAID Billy.
You speak the truth, even though some may not "like" it.
You make several good points, Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

WELL SAID Billy.
You speak the truth, even though some may not "like" it.
You make several good points, Pickles.

No one has said we should back China. And expecting the other Asian Nations to agree to our stance is naive. They are pragmatic enough to know where their bread is buttered. The problem is Australian politicians have never understood the Asian mind. Standing up and berating China , having them lose face in the eyes of the rest of the World, is a dangerous tactic. Far better to use diplomatic channels, to guarantee free passage of trade through the area, then to have the hawks of the Chinese Government have their voices heard.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

WELL SAID Billy.
You speak the truth, even though some may not "like" it.

Sure you are not trying to stir the pot, Pickles?

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

I dare say the Russians would be more than a little peeved as well.
.

Russia and China are preparing for major Naval exercises together, in the South China Sea. Asian politics are a tangled web, woe betide those who jump in , feet first.

Originally Posted by bob10

Sure you are not trying to stir the pot, Pickles?

No Bob, just giving my opinion, but that based on some of my previous opinions, some definitely do not like them,...which is fine.
One of the great things in this Country Bob IMHO, is that we are all able to have our own opinion, totally free & without any ramifications. (For how long?.....Do you reckon this will always be the case Bob?).
All is good, Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

No Bob, just giving my opinion, but that based on some of my previous opinions, some definitely do not like them,...which is fine.
One of the great things in this Country Bob IMHO, is that we are all able to have our own opinion, totally free & without any ramifications. (For how long?.....Do you reckon this will always be the case Bob?).
All is good, Pickles.

Pickles, mate, in my time in the military, it was often said " if you don't want to be shot at, don't make your self a target". Opinions have never been totally free in this country, or without ramifications -[a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event.]- and that is the beauty of where we live. You can be free to say your piece, within acceptable limits, but you must be open to others opinion , within acceptable limits. It is those acceptable limits that define our culture. Stay within the limits, all is fine. Don't accept the limits, we have anarchy.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

Australia must protect Australia's interest.
The free movement of trade through the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
A slice if the resources pie in the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
Not allowing its self to be bullied by a far greater power is in Australia's interest.
As for which side we would choose. Australia is a free egalitarian open nation. China is a fundamentally corrupt closed nation, which does not allow freedom of expression or freedom of speech. China does not allow political descent. China does not allow foreign ownership of its land.
China has not always and probably will not always be Australia's major trading partner. Backing China in this dispute would alienate Australia from the rest of The rest of Asia From India to Vietnam. I dare say the Russians would be more than a little peeved as well.
Australia has to make a big noise on this issue, as do all of the other smaller Nations because it is in our best interest.

Agree completely that the free movement of trade through the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
Don't agree at all that we have any claim on a slice of the resources pie in the South China Sea. We are a long way away.
Talk about bullying is off the point, as are comparisons about our political systems. I'd be the first to criticise China's suppression of free speech, but it's irrelevant. Trade ties rise and fall.
China's neighbours are the ones entitled to 'make a big noise', not us. Vietnam's missiles could hit the islands claimed by China, but it's unlikely they would fire them - I hope. Russia understands why China is trying to dominate its region because Russia is doing the same thing in it's area, just as Australia tries to dominate our region.
We couldn't win this argument with China, the best possible result is we support those with a greater interest to set some boundaries.




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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Agree completely that the free movement of trade through the South China Sea is in Australia's interest.
Don't agree at all that we have any claim on a slice of the resources pie in the South China Sea. We are a long way away.
Talk about bullying is off the point, as are comparisons about our political systems. I'd be the first to criticise China's suppression of free speech, but it's irrelevant. Trade ties rise and fall.
China's neighbours are the ones entitled to 'make a big noise', not us. Vietnam's missiles could hit the islands claimed by China, but it's unlikely they would fire them - I hope. Russia understands why China is trying to dominate its region because Russia is doing the same thing in it's area, just as Australia tries to dominate our region.
We couldn't win this argument with China, the best possible result is we support those with a greater interest to set some boundaries.




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All fair points.
My post was meant to allude to where we should stand not to the manner in which we should stand.