Australia Must Step Up

[Ransom]

Australia has pledged to increase defence cooperation with the US in the South China Sea – but stopped short of making any specific new commitment on freedom of navigation operations, despite American pressure.

At least they see a need for increased 'defence cooperation' with the US against China.

The two allies have also decided during high-level talks in Washington to set up a working group to push back at false information across the Indo-Pacific region, warning that “state-sponsored malicious disinformation and interference in democratic processes are significant and evolving threats”.

Uhh….high level talks.....that conclude that state sponsored disinformation interferes with the democratic processes and is a significant and evolving threat? That no shiit Sherlock conclusion took a high level talk? Wtf.

While the joint statement expressed “deep concern” over a range of actions taken by China – including a “campaign of repression of Uyghurs” and undermining of freedoms in Hong Kong – Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, said her country had “no intention of injuring” its important relationship with Beijing.

Hey Marise…..Minister Payne.....has your nation been "injured?" Is your economy not in it's first recession in 30 years. Aren't budgets in deficit because of economic stagnancy? Isn't the Australian dollar down against the US dollar as this cold war between China and the US makes investors nervous about the risk adverse Aussie? Has China not just threatened your country with boycott and even worse should you keep asking for an investigation into this virus?

Payne and the defence minister, Linda Reynolds, agreed in face-to-face talks with their US counterparts, Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper, to pursue “increased and regularised maritime cooperation” in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, “bilaterally and in concert with other likeminded and regional partners”.
The joint statement declares that Beijing’s maritime claims in the South China Sea “are not valid under international law”, but Australia appears to have held firm against conducting freedom of navigation exercises within 12 nautical miles of disputed features.
Experts say the US has long been pushing for Australia to conduct such exercises, but Australia has resisted taking such a step to date – in part to avoid inflaming tensions with China, its largest trading partner.

Mark Esper and Mike Pompeo need to chew Linda Reynolds and Marise Payne a new one. Explain what's up. In my opinion.

Time to step up, Australians need to look harder at their weak and beholden to China foreign and defence Ministers.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...mit-to-patrols

[PJL]

The biggest joke about this story is the inference that the US genuinely gives a rats arse about the Uygers or the people of Hong Kong....(lol)

[bulletbob]

The biggest joke about this story is the inference that the US genuinely gives a rats arse about the Uygers or the people of Hong Kong....(lol)

whats funny is how you always take china's side against your own nation , I find that interesting myself. in my opinion it tells me your probably of Chinese heritage possibly a communist and if you actually do live in Australia your a traitor to your own nation.

[Torus34]

I am unsure at this writing about any real concerns Australia might have about China. How important to Australian foreign trade is China's claims of nautical sovereignty? What is the risk of China actually invading Australia?

Perhaps, just perhaps, mind you, this is more about some in the US and Australia gaining wealth through arms sales.

Regards, stay safe 'n well. Remember the Big 3: masks, hand washing and physical distancing.

[PJL]

At least they see a need for increased 'defence cooperation' with the US against China.



Uhh….high level talks.....that conclude that state sponsored disinformation interferes with the democratic processes and is a significant and evolving threat? That no shiit Sherlock conclusion took a high level talk? Wtf.


Hey Marise…..Minister Payne.....has your nation been "injured?" Is your economy not in it's first recession in 30 years. Aren't budgets in deficit because of economic stagnancy? Isn't the Australian dollar down against the US dollar as this cold war between China and the US makes investors nervous about the risk adverse Aussie? Has China not just threatened your country with boycott and even worse should you keep asking for an investigation into this virus?




Mark Esper and Mike Pompeo need to chew Linda Reynolds and Marise Payne a new one. Explain what's up. In my opinion.

Time to step up, Australians need to look harder at their weak and beholden to China foreign and defence Ministers.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...mit-to-patrols

I think , on a global scale ,that the time has come for the US to step down.

[Ransom]

I think , on a global scale ,that the time has come for the US to step down.

Uhhh...Australia already playing the step down role, PJL. Your Foreign and Defence Ministers quoted above claiming they want to do nothing that 'injures' China/Aussie relations......when the covid virus has hurt you tremendously, you're in your first recession in 30 years.

The United States has stepped up and we're not going anywhere indeed, increasing our military presence in Australia and elsewhere. Gotta protect our ally, Australia who is in no condition to defend herself.

[carolina73]

I think Australia is just keeping a lower profile.

Australia has always to the US when needed and we are always their for them.

Germany, France and the EU countries are the ones that fail us.
@bulletbob - I believe almost everyone here at face value but I don't think either of us believe that "our Australian" friend has even been to Australia.

[PJL]

Uhhh...Australia already playing the step down role, PJL. Your Foreign and Defence Ministers quoted above claiming they want to do nothing that 'injures' China/Aussie relations......when the covid virus has hurt you tremendously, you're in your first recession in 30 years.

The United States has stepped up and we're not going anywhere indeed, increasing our military presence in Australia and elsewhere. Gotta protect our ally, Australia who is in no condition to defend herself.

China is now the main driving force in supporting the global economy , whereas the US is only the main driving force in trying to save it's own arse , and damaging the global economy in the process . This is the reason why Australia ( and most other countries) are economically strengthening their ties with China , and are not prepared to damage those ties . The US has become incapable of filling the roll it played prior to 2008 , and has nothing but more of the same , to repair the damage that was done by the GFC . The world can deal with the corona virus , but it can no longer deal with US economic incompetence and vandalism.

[bulletbob]

China is now the main driving force in supporting the global economy , whereas the US is only the main driving force in trying to save it's own arse , and damaging the global economy in the process . This is the reason why Australia ( and most other countries) are economically strengthening their ties with China , and are not prepared to damage those ties . The US has become incapable of filling the roll it played prior to 2008 , and has nothing but more of the same , to repair the damage that was done by the GFC . The world can deal with the corona virus , but it can no longer deal with US economic incompetence and vandalism.

Where did you pull that crap from. ? SERIOUSLY did you make it up or pull it out of your main down under

[HawkTheSlayer]

Where did you pull that crap from. ? SERIOUSLY did you make it up or pull it out of your main down under

Sound like a Chinese operative in Oz.