China | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
  • IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.

China

AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,789
Yeah, given the state of the economy post Pandemic you can see the Feds will do squat. Without other countries supporting the "independent inquiry into Wuhan" that will fall away - only Trump wants that as blame shifting exercise pre-election for him. Big business and the states will still cut deals with China, because they need the money.

I'm all for degrowth and trying to fix the planet but can't see it happening. Remember pre-election Scomo said we can't do anything about the environment or climate change because "jobs". That mantra won't change if we are talking about ditching our biggest export trading partner because of a virus that originated there.

And us good little consumers will still buy iPhones and flatscreens from China.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

TV Josh

Tiger Rookie
May 26, 2005
338
269
Melbourne, VIC
I get it - it will be hard and economically painful to find a new major trading partner. But what is your buy-out price for maintaining your flat-screen, Audi driving, golfing weekend lifestyle?

China's One World One Dream 2049 goal, its "China against the World" policy doesn't provide for Australia's long term interests and we can't rely on the US to defend us if push comes to shove. China is building fake islands in the ocean to spuriously claim entitlement to important shipping routes and 1.3 million square miles of the South China sea. How long before the CCP decides to take over a neighbouring country or two, claiming that they are also entitled to do so?

I'd rather not support that ideology or send them our country's resources to be able to advance their totalitarian dream. I understand that view upsets the mega-rich in Australia who have personally profited up the wazoo from a relationship with China, but those people, like Twiggy Forrest can GAGF. It's time Australia looked out for the interests of all Australians, now and in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 6 users

DavidSSS

Tiger Legend
Dec 11, 2017
10,521
17,870
Melbourne
Yeah, given the state of the economy post Pandemic you can see the Feds will do squat. Without other countries supporting the "independent inquiry into Wuhan" that will fall away - only Trump wants that as blame shifting exercise pre-election for him. Big business and the states will still cut deals with China, because they need the money.

I'm all for degrowth and trying to fix the planet but can't see it happening. Remember pre-election Scomo said we can't do anything about the environment or climate change because "jobs". That mantra won't change if we are talking about ditching our biggest export trading partner because of a virus that originated there.

And us good little consumers will still buy iPhones and flatscreens from China.

Part of the problem is you can't buy these things from anywhere else.

So much for choice under capitalism, I don't have the option to source goods from countries who pay decent wages, have good health and safety and environmental policies.

As for the CCP, communist in name only, Deng Xiaoping's reign shifted that country to a clearly capitalist economy. They just use the label "communist" or "socialist" to justify authoritarian rule on some flimsy pretext that they are ruling on behalf of the workers. It is just a branding exercise.

DS
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

MD Jazz

Don't understand football? Talk to the hand.
Feb 3, 2017
13,325
13,704
So much for choice under capitalism, I don't have the option to source goods from countries who pay decent wages, have good health and safety and environmental policies.

Yes you do, unfortunately no one will pay for them. Plenty of alternative factories around, right now China is still the cheapest.
 

DavidSSS

Tiger Legend
Dec 11, 2017
10,521
17,870
Melbourne
Yes you do, unfortunately no one will pay for them. Plenty of alternative factories around, right now China is still the cheapest.

Oh really, find me a smart phone not made in China, Korea etc.

Same goes for a computer, DVD player etc. All of these are made in low wage economies, there is no choice.

DS
 

tigerdell

Hope springs infernal
Mar 29, 2014
4,546
5,154
Oh really, find me a smart phone not made in China, Korea etc.

Same goes for a computer, DVD player etc. All of these are made in low wage economies, there is no choice.

DS

DS I can sell you a smart phone not made in China. No problemo. Just wire me the money and pronto!
Its a smart one

And because there is a special shipment heading your way, I can also include a computer, tv, netflix recorder. Any device you want.
No exploitation of workers or the environment.
Just give me the money and I will sort out the rest.
 

artball

labels are for canned food
Jul 30, 2013
6,886
6,299
so after Trump persuades Morrison to go it alone with the Wuhan investigation, China now looks to the US for barley. I think they call that getting played...
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: 2 users

Ridley

Tiger Legend
Jul 21, 2003
17,755
15,433
Oh really, find me a smart phone not made in China, Korea etc.
I'd happily buy something made in South Korea over China. Samsung, LG etc have all made huge leaps in product quality over the past 20 years or so. They match the Japanese in many areas. Still not convinced on South Korean cars but they have also come along way in the past 20 years. Hyundai and Kia (sister companies) are regularly top 5 in sales in Australia. A stronger focus on trading partnerships with Japan and South Korea would be a good idea IMHO.

That said, many South Korean and Japanese companies also make product in China. The solution to the China issue is much easier said than done unfortunately.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Ridley

Tiger Legend
Jul 21, 2003
17,755
15,433
so after Trump persuades Morrison to go it alone with the Wuhan investigation, China now looks to the US for barley. I think they call that getting played...
Can't see how there is anything to that theory. The Yanks have been more scathing of China than anyone; Trump suggesting there is evidence pointing to the virus escaping from a Wuhan lab as opposed to a wet market.

If they were punishing Australia for its views on an investigation then they'd be even less likely to deal with the Yanks.
 

Baloo

Delisted Free Agent
Nov 8, 2005
44,113
18,921
I'd happily buy something made in South Korea over China. Samsung, LG etc have all made huge leaps in product quality over the past 20 years or so. They match the Japanese in many areas. Still not convinced on South Korean cars but they have also come along way in the past 20 years. Hyundai and Kia (sister companies) are regularly top 5 in sales in Australia. A stronger focus on trading partnerships with Japan and South Korea would be a good idea IMHO.

That said, many South Korean and Japanese companies also make product in China. The solution to the China issue is much easier said than done unfortunately.

The problem is that the phones made in Sth Korea, or Japan, are full of components that are made in China.
 

Ridley

Tiger Legend
Jul 21, 2003
17,755
15,433
The problem is that the phones made in Sth Korea, or Japan, are full of components that are made in China.
Yep that's true. Also, I think the South Korean and Japanese TVs (Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Sony etc) all have the LED/LCD panels made in China.
 

artball

labels are for canned food
Jul 30, 2013
6,886
6,299
China is buying US barley after placing huge tariffs on Australian supply. China also placing more orders for Russian beef. China also debating the Iron Ore situation with Oz. America is in talks about cancelling F35 contract with Australia which means 5000 jobs gone. Remember Trump above all is a businessman.
 

artball

labels are for canned food
Jul 30, 2013
6,886
6,299
Can't see how there is anything to that theory. The Yanks have been more scathing of China than anyone; Trump suggesting there is evidence pointing to the virus escaping from a Wuhan lab as opposed to a wet market.

If they were punishing Australia for its views on an investigation then they'd be even less likely to deal with the Yanks.
They are dealing with them Ridley. Fact.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,789
so after Trump persuades Morrison to go it alone with the Wuhan investigation, China now looks to the US for barley. I think they call that getting played...

When did "Trump persuade Morrison" to do this?
 

Al Bundy

Premiers 2017, 2019, 2020 ...2021?
Aug 27, 2003
7,141
616
Melbourne
I hope Aust (& others) look elsewhere. break this high dependency as much as possible. Not saying complete break either
One idea one of my friends had to this issue, is to help countries with high employment to build new industries to replacing what China manufacturer.
Eg look at South Africa or some countries in South America. Just a thought.
 

tigermike

Tiger Superstar
Apr 6, 2014
1,890
1,259
I would agree that Trump should play no part in any inquiry. But regardless of who calls for it there needs to be an inquiry; an independent inquiry. Cut the Yanks out of it if that makes the CCP feel any better; the poor dears.

Plenty of other countries including Australia are also calling for an independent inquiry. How can there possibly be an argument against an independent investigation into the cause of this insidious pandemic that has caused 3.5 million infections and killed nearly 250 thousand people?? Not too mention the millions of people now unemployed.

The virus originated in China; that is beyond argument. How it actually originated and spread is what needs to be determined. So the world can understand it and do everything possible to stop it happening again. If we don't understand it how can we protect against it? The same would be expected if it started in Australia, USA, UK, Italy, France, Spain or the Maldives. I don't believe the CCP released this virus deliberately. I do believe it was an accident but the way they have acted firstly by covering it up for weeks and now by it's resistance might lead a cynical person to suggest they have something to hide.

We can not be sitting here in 10 years time going through this again because the CCP stonewalled an investigation into the outbreak.
Four corners investigations have given a plausible transfer mechanism from bats to wild animals to these wet markets where the animals are kept close together and then slaughtered for food using unhygienic methods leading to human infection and then spreading to other humans. The tough part is getting China to stop this illegal animal trade or even make these markets more hygienic places to work in. Closing them down permanently does not work, its been tried before then relaxed. We can't go through this again but I fear we might, very soon, unless pressure can be put on China to get their cooperation but without them 'losing face'. Could be mission impossible. Who's friends with China?...North Korea! They wont be much help, they have not declared any cases yet, let alone any deaths, so the virus has not touched them at all!!! Hmm...must be 'cause no visitors go there.