A Growing Chinese Confidence

Red Moon said:

It's interesting that this type of fiction appears in Foreign Affairs, and written by a "senior fellow" at the Peterson Institute. So who does the real thinking for American foreign policy???

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Judging by the "performence" of the state department which lead by the spouse of an ex-president, I think this fiction TRULY reflects the American foreign policy.

I am German, when I read the article in paper it made me sad that this fine, capable and competent women is Chinas, and not Germanys deputy foreign minister. I mean, quite honest awnsers that made sense as opposed to the "Human Rights! Derp Derp Democracy Derp USA Germany Friends Derp Russia Evil Derp" stuff that comes out of Germanys representatives.

It looks as if Paul Abbott an Australian P.M. wannabe is not a "Der Spiegel" reader. Adding to that I would have thought Australian polioticians would have been more than interested in what an ex ambasadoress to Australia had to say as "Vice Premier of Foreign Affairs"



"THE opposition would support home-basing of US warships in northern Australia, according to Tony Abbott.

Australian and US officials are involved in intense discussions over an increased US military presence in northern Australia, and these discussions are believed to include the possibility of eventually home-porting one or more US ships in Australia.

In his first extended foreign policy interview as Opposition Leader, Mr Abbott said: "I'd welcome it." If he became prime minister and the US made such a proposal, "my instinct would be to find a way of saying yes".

Mr Abbott also said he would continue to receive the Dalai Lama when the Tibetan spiritual leader visited Australia.

This would be sure to cause protests from Beijing.

"I would expect to continue to see the Dalai Lama if he was in Australia and he was interested in catching up for a cup of tea," Mr Abbott said. "The Dalai Lama is a legitimate representative of the people of Tibet and a significant spiritual leader."
Mr Abbott outlined a positive agenda for relations with China, which he said he would want to take as far as they could go.

However, he also pledged that as prime minister he would raise human rights concerns publicly with the Chinese leadership.

He said: "Historically, China has been pretty brutal towards Tibet and towards domestic groups like Falun Gong and

I think it's right and proper for Australian leaders to note our disagreement with them on these points.

"We should be under no illusions about the value system of the Chinese state. This doesn't mean we can't work with the Chinese government very effectively, but when it comes to human rights their standards aren't ours and we shouldn't apologise for our standards or be mealy mouthed about them."

Mr Abbott also called on China to display openness in its military development.

The Opposition Leader said the Gillard government had taken the "Hawker Britton style" of elevating the media cycle above policy substance to the international stage.

The government had failed to develop relations with India, he said, accusing it of a "great mistake" in cancelling a quadrilateral security dialogue involving India, Japan, the US and Australia, as well as reversing the Howard government's decision to sell uranium to India.

"India has been the neglected emerging superpower," Mr Abbott said. "It would be an important priority of the next Coalition government to strengthen our relationship with India."

Asked about his attitude to a UN resolution, opposed by Israel and Washington, that would unilaterally declare an independent Palestinian state, Mr Abbott said: "My instinct would be to do nothing which would prejudice the continued, viable existence of Israel.There are a number of countries in the world which are very close to Australia in values and outlook and Israel is one of them. Israel is under existential threat in a way that probably no other country on Earth is and it does no good for Australia to seek brownie points with other countries by trifling with Israel's security."

Perhaps it's best for australia if the opposition doesn't become the next government then, considering the increased importance of sino-oz relations especially ala trade.

Not strictly related to the thread topic though

Bltizo said:

Not strictly related to the thread topic though

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True Nonetheless as ex ambasadoress to Aust I thought they might have been interested, especially wanabe PM. That way they dont make an ass of themselves.

Sounds like someone who wanna prepare for the next election and attract the frightened sheep in the mass public. I think it's soooo funny that even Harper won't bring up what this guy has mentioned, and this guy wanted to have American warships within Australian waters? I'd even wonder if US will take this request seriously. The practicability of keeping "some"(and I mean really small numbers of them) over there, is less than useful, and much further than Guam. It's not quite much help with logistics.

It looks odd, that Mr. Abbott doesn't seem to be aware of the reputation of Australia with respect to its treatment of its aboriginals, of British children deported to it to make it more white skinned and of asylum seekers.

Conceited is when you accuse someone else of mistreatment of people when your own country was founded on the genocide and oppression of the indigenous population.

Now that is just dirty and underhanded, I applaud you, amace ;D