Chinese imperialism and future Australian sovereignty

[think positive]

[pietillidie]

[Tannin]

https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/lone-wolf-the-west-should-bide-its-time-friendless-china-is-in-trouble-20200709-p55adj.html

A view from the Telegraph in London. Refreshing in its optimism, in its view that China has overreached and is now opposed by too many nations to continue its expansionist actions, but needs to take the rose-coloured glasses off.

Nevertheless, a must-read.

[stui magpie]

Indeed a very good read but I'm also unconvinced China wiill put the cue in the rack that easily

[pietillidie]

I was going to post that one, too.

[Jezza]

Good article, Tannin.

Thanks for posting.

[pietillidie]

The only Australian politician worth a potato cake on the matter:

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/australia-needs-to-take-leadership-role-in-face-of-us-china-contest-wong-20200709-p55ap2.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/11/penny-wong-says-coronavirus-catastrophe-fuelling-a-macho-strain-of-nationalism

The original just in case someone has access:
https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com

[Morrigu]

Morrison Government declares Beijing's South China Sea claims 'illegal' at United Nations

Australia has raised the stakes in its already troubled relationship with China by backing the United States in formally declaring Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea to be illegal.

In a letter to the United Nations, Australia's permanent mission rejected the Chinese Communist Party's claim to disputed islands in the crucial trading waters, calling them "inconsistent" with international law.

"The Australian Government rejects any claims by China that are inconsistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in particular, maritime claims that do not adhere to its rules on baselines, maritime zones and classification of features.," the document states.

Australia rejects any claims to internal waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf based on such straight baselines."

The move, likely to infuriate Beijing, aligns Australia with the Trump administration, which earlier this month reversed a previous policy of not taking sides in such disputes.

Australia has previously urged all claimants to disputed South China Sea islands and maritime features to resolve their claims in accordance with international law.

China is yet to formally respond to Australia's statement.

But it said earlier this month that the US position "neglected the history and facts" around issues concerning the South China Sea.

Australia's dramatic shift in position comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds prepare to travel to Washington next week to meet with their US counterparts for the 2020 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations

This week, the ABC revealed Australian warships had recently encountered Chinese warships while travelling through the South China Sea near the disputed Spratly islands, which Beijing claims.

https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-25/federal-government-joins-rejects-china-maritime-claims-at-un/12492070

[pietillidie]

And when the US asks Australia to defy international law in its interests?

It would be nice if this were the golden era of caring about international law, but once suspects Little Scotty is simply jealous of Little Johnny's Medal of Freedom — you know, the one that destroyed half of the Middle East and his own legacy in the process.

I have no problem with being forthright to China, no problem with pressuring China through coalitions, no problem seeking greater transparency from China, no problem bolstering defences, no problem exposing hacks and IP theft, no problem pushing and pressuring for faster reform, and no problem trying to see off Xi and his neocon cronies.

But don't forget who the other party is here: the same people who have been wrong about every single major issue for the last two decades, led by a deranged nutcase with a highly corrupt and incompetent inner circle and a magical brown touch. That ought to give very, very serious pause for thought.

China simply must succeed, and any policy that fails to recognise that, and fails to care about the futures of 1.4B Chinese folks, is setting us up for an unthinkable catastrophe.

[think positive]

at least we will still be speaking English and have Russian weaponry under our pillows

[Tannin]

All good PTID, except for one thing. The country defying international law in this instance is China. They are so far outside the law in the waters off the Philippines that you can't even see it from where they stand.

They have to be stopped. They need to see significant strength and multi-national unity. Appeasement never works. Morrison is correct in this instance.

[pietillidie]

^I may have given the wrong impression. I am aware of that, and fine with making it clear; as I say it would be nice if this were a golden era of caring about international law. My support for protecting small nations from being bullied by those trampling international law hasn't changed.

But beware the company you keep. Be very aware.

[Tannin]

^ Oh indeed.

[Pi]

[stui magpie]

Communist parties all eventually fall because their philosophy just doesn't work.

Enter the opposition. https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/chinese-separatists-backed-by-steve-bannon-push-new-coalition-in-australia-20200725-p55fdv.html