China

[Panthera Tigris]

Interesting theory PT. Yep, they have to keep reminding their people that they are the boss. If, as expected, the property market crashes, and the Chinese middle class lose the majority of their wealth...watch out!

The potential for the Taiwan situation being used in a similar vein worries me too.

1) A demonstration of strength, power, 'who's boss', aimed probably even more at the domestic audience than the global one.
2) A distraction from the likely wiping out of the middle class when financial meltdown comes.
3) A nationalistic galvanising force on the home front, to counter the fraying of societal fabric that would come from a catastrophic financial meltdown.

If Russia succeeds in running roughshod over Ukraine, with no interference from outside - which I think is the most likely scenario. China will be further emboldened and it strengthens the odds of something more tangible happening on the Taiwan front.

 

[spook]

China-Australia laser incident raises many questions - Pearls and Irritations

The belligerent statements by Scott Morrison and other seem blown out of proportion for political reasons and may have been motivated by the upcoming elections. Australia has accused a Chinese warship of shining a military grade laser at an Australian Air Force Poseidon 8A (P-8A) surveillance...

johnmenadue.com

 

[eZyT]

The potential for the Taiwan situation being used in a similar vein worries me too.

1) A demonstration of strength, power, 'who's boss', aimed probably even more at the domestic audience than the global one.
2) A distraction from the likely wiping out of the middle class when financial meltdown comes.
3) A nationalistic galvanising force on the home front, to counter the fraying of societal fabric that would come from a catastrophic financial meltdown.

If Russia succeeds in running roughshod over Ukraine, with no interference from outside - which I think is the most likely scenario. China will be further emboldened and it strengthens the odds of something more tangible happening on the Taiwan front.

When China opportunistically invades Taiwan,

Australia MUST act decisively and unambiguously,

in doing and saying absolutely nothing

 

[Carter]

As I have noted on the Ukraine thread, the US would never let China expand into the Pacific and it is highly doubtful how far it could get.

The next viable theatre of war is in orbit, and that’s several decades away.

 

[spook]

Playbook to defeat China takes shape in Ukraine

The media handwringing over Ukraine is understandable in an age of pervasive private reporting, but it doesn’t change the facts: Any notion that dialectal history is now headed towards some light on the hill is dead. Any notion that liberal democracy is the unwavering future of humanity is dead...

www.macrobusiness.com.au

 

[Tigers of Old]

Solomon Islands defends plans to expand security ties with China

Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

www.abc.net.au

Here we go. Why it's important to look after your neighbours.

 

[Tigers of Old]

How did we get here?

Australia 'deeply disappointed' by controversial security pact between China and Solomon Islands

China and Solomon Islands have signed a framework agreement on security cooperation — a deal Australia, New Zealand and the US fear could open the door to a Chinese naval base in the South Pacific.

www.abc.net.au

 

[DavidSSS]

LNP government asleep at the wheel, no other explanation. They have cut aid, they have cut funding for diplomatic missions and we are reaping the impact of their policies.

The ALP are too pathetic to go after the LNP on this but they should as it is a disgrace.

DS

 

[Tigers of Old]

LNP government asleep at the wheel, no other explanation. They have cut aid, they have cut funding for diplomatic missions and we are reaping the impact of their policies.

The ALP are too pathetic to go after the LNP on this but they should as it is a disgrace.

DS

It's beyond a 'dissapointment' as described by te Government It's a National Security threat.
How the *smile* did a Liberal Government that spruiks about security of Australia allow the Chinese, a foreign powerhouse to gain such a strong foothold on our doorstep?
Should be the question on the front page of every National paper.
Unprecedented.

 

[BT Tiger]

LNP government asleep at the wheel, no other explanation. They have cut aid, they have cut funding for diplomatic missions and we are reaping the impact of their policies.

The ALP are too pathetic to go after the LNP on this but they should as it is a disgrace.

DS

Penny Wong is going Gung Ho about it this morning, as she should. Where is Marise Payne at? She should be grilled for a failure of such significance.

 

[artball]

LNP government asleep at the wheel, no other explanation. They have cut aid, they have cut funding for diplomatic missions and we are reaping the impact of their policies.

Holier than thou this govt.. an so far above their station..

they are diplomatic failures ...

this 'why didn't they tell us' attitude to the Solomons is testimony to this ..

 

[Baloo]

Yet they'll still get 47% of the votes. I didnt realise there were so many rich or stupid people in Aus

 

[MD Jazz]

It's beyond a 'dissapointment' as described by te Government It's a National Security threat.
How the *smile* did a Liberal Government that spruiks about security of Australia allow the Chinese, a foreign powerhouse to gain such a strong foothold on our doorstep?
Should be the question on the front page of every National paper.
Unprecedented.

It's a massive challenge to manage the relationship with our biggest trading partner who are slowly increasing their reach, slomo is clearly not up to it and neither are his cronies.

But labour have not displayed an ability to manage it any better. Dan Andrews had to be stopped with his secretive deals with China.

An old article but a pretty good summary of China's plan and the ramifications for countries entering such agreements.

What is China's Belt and Road Initiative?

The project is often described as a 21st century Silk Road, made up of a ‘belt’ of overland corridors and a maritime ‘road’ of shipping lanes

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tigers of Old]

Vote this lunatic out.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1518491247853195266

Dutton banging the war drum with a superpower is a threat to our national security.

 

[spook]

Vote this lunatic out.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1518491247853195266

Dutton banging the war drum with a superpower is a threat to our national security.

Someone else tweeted that he's declared war on a country who will use the iron ore we sell them to kill our soldiers.

 

[tigerman]

Vote this lunatic out.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1518491247853195266

Dutton banging the war drum with a superpower is a threat to our national security.

Dutton is an ant picking a fight with an elephant.

 

[Harry]

Vote this lunatic out.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1518491247853195266

Dutton banging the war drum with a superpower is a threat to our national security.

Dutton is an ant picking a fight with an elephant.

To be fair he's just trying to please our masters in the US.

 

[tigerman]

To be fair he's just trying to please our masters in the US.

Thank god for the ANZUS treaty.

 

[BT Tiger]

Thank god for the ANZUS treaty.

I'm not sure we can rely on the US to defend us these days, especially when our own leaders are acting belligerently.

All China has to say to the US is "we'll nuke your cities if you dare to interfere", and the US will meekly back down, slap some wet-lettuce-leaf-sanctions on China and perhaps provide a few surface to air missile to help Aussies defend their homeland. Russian and Ukraine is the case in point.

 

[DavidSSS]

Someone else tweeted that he's declared war on a country who will use the iron ore we sell them to kill our soldiers.

Reminds me of someone I read about in history: Pig Iron Bob.

DS