Paul Keating’s recent views on China were labelled “big mistakes” on the ABC trump card “Question and Answer” (Q+A) program. The former prime minister was accused of these views. It was based on the politics of the 1970s.
Mr. Keating had a wide-ranging discussion on China at the National Press Club on Wednesday.
He said that Australia should not be involved in the tensions in Taiwan and that “China does not pose a neighboring threat to Australia.”
His speech came at a time when tensions reappeared in Canberra and Beijing due to trade and human rights issues and Australia’s recent AUKUS defense agreement.
Mr. Keating’s remarks were supported by the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but in the “Q&A” program, his remarks were described as “completely wrong” and “delusional.”
Chris Uhlmann, the political editor of Channel Nine, criticized Mr. Keating most sharply.
“He said China is not a threat.”
“I have in front of me a list that was handed to my colleague last year. It is a list of 14 requirements for Australia handed to him by a Chinese official, and this list is supported by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese media.”
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“It (Beijing) complained that Chinese companies were blocked on foreign investment, complained that we ban Huawei from participating in 5G networks, complained that we asked to investigate the traceability of COVID-19, and some speeches made by our lawmakers and the media.”
“If you don’t believe that there is a clear real danger, that is, there is a threat from China, then you either have a delusional disorder, or you are deliberately turning a blind eye.”
International relations expert Lavina Lee said that Mr. Keating’s view of China is incompatible with the current political climate.
“I think this is a wrong basis for action.”
Dr. Li said that Australia is not the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that has disputes with China.
“Australia is not an outlier here,” she said.
“China is the only big country in Asia that is dissatisfied.”
“It is a revisionist, and it has expanded its idea of its territorial borders. It used to be content to consolidate control of its land borders in Xinjiang and Tibet.
“Now, it regards the South China Sea and the East China Sea as part of its natural territory and seeks to exist there for a long time.”
China has been loudly criticizing Australia’s Auscus agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, which will allow Australia to obtain nuclear submarines. China has also accused Australia of threatening regional stability.
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Dr. Li said that despite China’s dismissal of Australia’s Aucus agreement, many countries in the region can take a positive attitude towards the agreement.
She said that China needs to “due due respect to the interests of other countries in the region.”
She said: “What Australia has done through an agreement like Aucus is to return to the Anglo cultural circle, but the fact is that we have a strong alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom.”
“We should use these alliances to build our capabilities.”
“Other countries in Asia actually expect us to play a role in deterring and checking China, sending a signal to China that[他们那种扩张主义行为]There is a price. “
Some Asian countries believe that both the U.S. and China are forcibly domineering
Jiang Yun, editor-in-chief of the Australian National University’s China Story blog, said Australia’s immediate search for these allies reflected racism in Australia’s foreign policy.
“When we talk about history and blood relationship, we only talk about the United States and Britain,” she said.
“I think this does reflect the fact that Australia’s foreign policy institutions are largely white dominated.
“People only think of Australia’s white history.”
Ms. Jiang said that although Australia has close ties with the United States, many countries in Asia view the United States in a different way, believing that it is far from being a moderate or friendly big country.
“From the perspective of many countries in Asia, the United States is not a moderate power as we have seen,” she said.
This is what Ullman tried to refute. He pointed out that China is the worst of the two evils.
Dr. Li also stated that it is correct for other Asian countries to be vigilant about China’s interests, especially as President Xi Jinping continues to consolidate his power.
“I think we must always be cautious about the Chinese Communist Party’s remarks,” Dr. Li said.
“Their own claims are bullied by foreign forces. However, their current behavior is bullying other small neighboring countries, including Australia.”
“Since 2012, China has been building islands in the South China Sea, militarizing them, bullying other claimants, and using coast guards and militias to prevent countries like Malaysia that exploit oil in their close territorial waters from continuing to do so. What they have been doing for decades.
“So Asian countries are very wary of China.”
Should Australia defend Taiwan?
One of them is Taiwan.
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In the past year, tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated as trade embargoes and military tensions have risen.
The United States and other Western countries have repeatedly stated that they are paying close attention to the situation there, which has prompted China to issue a warning asking foreign agents not to interfere in China’s policies.
Mr. Xi Jinping does not rule out that China will use force to attack Taiwan in the future. The possibility of conflict in Asia has been discussed more and more in recent weeks.
Mr. Keating said that it is not in Australia’s interest to take action against Taiwan.
Most of the panelists thought that military intervention would not be the right choice, but in the words of Labour MP Ed Husic, it “should have benefits” for Australia.
Mr. Shusk said: “We should try to prevent any military conflicts there.”
“We should have a stake in the situation in Taiwan.”
“They are also one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers, and semiconductors are one of the most indispensable products in the electronics and technology fields around the world.”
“Maintaining their production capacity is a matter of interest to us, because of the economic benefits derived from it and its importance. We really need to be concerned about what is happening there.”
Ms. Jiang said that she believes that Australia needs to “consider our interests” and support democracy on the Taiwan issue, but Dr. Li suggested to take action when needed.
Ms. Li said: “Australia has agency rights on this issue.
“Therefore, it is in our interest to actually show support for Taiwan.”
“Simply unacceptable”: Senator Abbet’s question is criticized
On the one hand, there was such an impassioned debate on the subject of China. On the other hand, the panelists also talked about the treatment of Chinese Australians.
Listener Steve Khouw said that he felt anti-Chinese sentiment was heating up.
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When he was investigating Ms. Jiang’s immigration issue in Congress, Liberal Senator Abez asked her about her attitude towards the Chinese Communist Party, and she asked about her feelings of marginalization.
Ms. Jiang said that before she went to participate in the survey, she “emphasized one point, that is, we should not set higher standards for Chinese Australians to express loyalty than other Australians”.
“They are actually not interested in hearing what I want to say about the increased suspicion of Chinese Australians,” she said.
“What they want to know is whether I will condemn the Chinese Communist Party.”
Ms. Jiang said that she felt that her loyalty to Australia was being questioned, and she felt that she was being targeted by politicians.
She said: “I should have the right to criticize my government, and everyone here should also have this right.”
Watch the complete Q+A program via iview or Facebook.
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