In an effort to repair relationships, China handed in a four-point list of things to the Labor Party of Australia in July 2022. Previously, China handed the media the 14-point grievance by Beijing’s embassy in Canberra.
It is very upsetting how a sovereign state dictates another sovereign state to comply with unfair demands unless it’s a vassal country. It is also not seen in the recent past that such actions have been conducted against any sovereign states.
China’s rhetoric is palpable to Australia, which needs federal government approval to comply.
In reality, China first started noncooperation with Australia by preventing Australian goods from importing. Australia tried to sort it out, but China stopped answering even phone calls from its Australian counterpart.
Yet, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) unofficial spokes magazine, Global Times, kept making Australia responsible for repairing the relationships. After two years of stalemate, toned down a bit, China placed a 4-point to-do list to bring back rapprochement, as follows:
- Australia must treat China as a “partner rather than a rival”.
- The two countries must seek “common ground while shelving difference”.
- Australia must reject “manipulation by a third party”. Anyone can understand who they are referring to.
- Both countries must build “public support featuring positiveness and pragmatism”.
The main reason for China’s anger against Australia is included in its 14-point grievance in Serial 5, “call for an international independent inquiry into the COVID-19 virus, acted as a political manipulation echoing the US attack on China.”
China immediately retaliated by stopping importing Australian goods, such as wine, beef, coal, barley, timber, seafood, etc, by citing flimsy excuses.
In a similar way, China stopped importing goods from littoral countries of the South China Sea and stopped tourism in Pacific countries that went against the decision of the CCP.
After becoming a leading power, China is using its economic leverage ruthlessly against weak nations, and Chinese diplomats are adept at compelling them to kowtow before CCP.
Australia’s robust economy could resist CCP’s coercion, but it’s hard for weak nations to resist such economic oppression.
The deplorable characteristics of CCP have started to expose to the world. It’s happening in front of our eyes. Some weak nations have already fallen into the debt trap of China, as happened with Sri Lanka, and now many other countries appear to be moving in that direction.
Yes, the world has seen the brutality of Western imperialists, including Japan. History reminiscences them with great disgrace.
Does CCP follow the same ideology as those tyrannic leaders did? Democratic people would not accept that. People are now much more civilized and knowledgeable.
The whole world expressed concerns about China’s economic retaliation against Australia. Yet Australia has shown remarkable restraint in repudiating China’s demand. The beauty of democracy is that democratic values prevent its people from exhaling dudgeon against China.
Australia is making decisions best suited for its country’s development and better for its people. China cannot dictate the Australian parliament.
Are Australians aware of China’s profligate action of dictating the Australian government?
Australian media appear not adept in making ballyhoos like the Global Times. However, a Pew Research survey in 2020 shows that 81% of Australians see China as unfavourable, which is 24% higher than last year.
Although President Xi Jinping strongly supports “socialism is better than democracy”, yet Australia’s GDP per capita is three times higher than China’s. Taiwan is a strong democratic country whose GDP per capita is five times higher than China.
These are facts but frustrating for CCP.
Chinese diplomats are no more naive than in earlier days; they are now very severe in expounding CCP’s propaganda worldwide. Former Chairman Mao Tsetung and Premier Chou En-lai stated, “China will never be a superpower, and it opposes hegemony and power politics of any kind”.
Virtually, China is now a superpower.
No one stops China from becoming a superpower, but the question arises with its “hegemony and power politics”. CCP’s ideology has changed from its founding leaders. President Xi Jinping wishes to win power politics with the West.
Also, Xi appears to overcome Deng Xiaoping’s philosophy, “hide your strength, bide your time”. The most crucial question is, is China ready to challenge the whole West, including Asian economic powers?
China’s conduct appeared crossed diplomatic norms by asking Australia to comply with CCP’s requirements. Australia did not respond to China’s wish list. Now the world is watching how Australia takes vengeance against China’s one-sided decision to ban imports of Australian goods.
Undoubtedly, China’s decision makes an indelible impact on Australia’s strategy that Australia would consider in its foreign policy that may not favour CCP.
CCP should know a truly democratic country cannot ignore the people’s verdict and will not bow down to a dictator. That would drive China to use either its wolf-warrior or soft diplomacy.
China appears to have no option other than to soften its tone.
Comments