Don’t give a free pass to Beijing for its aggressive behaviour | The Strategist
www.aspistrategist.org.au
The whole point of the post-World War II system of international rules and norms was that large countries, great powers, could not just do whatever they wanted. The post-War order is meant to provide a ...

The post-War order is meant to provide a check on the untrammelled power of the powerful, whether through military invasions or more subtle ways of bending the will of other countries—methods such as interference, coercion and malicious cyber intrusions.

Yet when asked recently how Australia would address China’s influence in the Pacific, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, ‘China’s doing what great powers do, and great powers try to lift their influence and expand their influence in the region that they wish.’

[…]

The type of influence China exercises is not something we can accept as simply ‘what great powers do’. It launched a cyber attack on the Pacific Islands Forum, spreads online disinformation in the Pacific to undermine democracies and weaken Pacific partnerships, sought security agreements that lack public transparency, and undertaken various other malicious activities—such as hybrid and grey zone operations.

And that’s just in the Pacific—China is carrying out this malicious activity globally, not to mention being the main supporter enabling Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Of course, other significant powers seek influence, but responsible nations don’t behave like this.

[…]

  •  Seagoon_   ( @Seagoon_@aussie.zone ) English
    17•4 days ago

    Not our friend.

    While we were suffering the horrendous fires in Jan 2020 China sent government gangs to Australia to buy all our Personal protection and medications . They were buying it because they knew that Covid was out of control before they even told the rest of the world.

    And China was one of the only countries that didn’t give any help or aid at all regarding the bushfire tragedies. Even tiny poor Pacific island countries helped us.

    Friends don’t lie. Friends don’t deceive. Friends help. China is no friend.

    China shouldn’t get any concessions from the west.

    Oh, and fuck youse guys for stealing all the fish .

    •  notgold   ( @notgold@aussie.zone ) English
      4•4 days ago

      Actions of a few individuals do not define a nation. Are all Australians the romper stomper Asian haters of the 1990’s? No we are not. Or the people that hoarded toilet paper for their own gains, again no we are not. I was in China in December 2019 and there was an effort by many people to inform that there was a virus going around and that I should be extra careful. They did not do that for their benefit and many risked the embarassment of attempting to speak English to a foreigner. Then there were people trying to sell me a mask for 100 times inflated price for their own gain. People are people and some will take an opportunity even if it negatively affects others. Doesn’t mean everyone there is a cunt.

  •  NaevaTheRat   ( @NaevaTheRat@vegantheoryclub.org ) English
    12•4 days ago

    This account seems to only post news stories critical of the Chinese government, I only noticed after the three posted here in such a short time.

    That’s not a comment on their accuracy, just be aware the poster is deliberately spreading propaganda with a very narrow focus.

    •  eureka   ( @eureka@aussie.zone ) English
      10•4 days ago

      This is straight from a think tank commentary site (their words).

      ASPI was established by the Australian Government in 2001 and is partially funded by the Department of Defence

      The following copypasted from Wikipedia:

      In 2020, Myriam Robin in the Australian Financial Review identified three sources of funding, in addition to the Department of Defence. ASPI receives funding from defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Thales Group and Raytheon Technologies. It also receives funding from technology companies such as Microsoft, Oracle Australia, Telstra, and Google. Finally, it receives funding from foreign governments including Japan, Taiwan and the Netherlands.

      For the 2019-2020 financial year, ASPI listed a revenue of $11,412,096.71. The ASPI received from the Australian Department of Defence 35% of its revenue, 32% from federal government agencies, 17% from overseas government agencies, 11% from the private sector, and 3% from the defense industries. Finally, it receives funding from foreign governments including Japan, Israel, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

      So it’s important to understand the article with that bias in mind - this is sponsored content.

  •  daveoss   ( @daveoss@aussie.zone ) English
    8•4 days ago

    There is no altruism with China. Never will be or has. When they tried to kick up a big fuss for Australia swapping hand sanitizer with filter medium for masks back when COVID was starting was the end of it for me. We don’t need to be compatible or should we strive to be. Enforce our boundary with 0 tolerance and decrease reliance on them really needs to happen to assure supply chain stability.

  •  maniacalmanicmania   ( @maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone ) English
    8•4 days ago

    Of course, other significant powers seek influence, but responsible nations don’t behave like this. The United States for instance, as the longstanding international superpower, has built enormous global influence. But—notwithstanding its share of mistakes—it has done so overwhelmingly by cultivating alliances and genuine partnerships based on shared values and a common desire to improve conditions in the world and to the benefit of the citizens of their partner nations.

    I wonder what mistakes they could possibly be referring to.