If the US Marines arrive by sea, at least they won't have the humiliation of having to berth at a Chinese leased port. HMAS Coonawarra is nearby.
If the US Marines arrive by sea, at least they won't have the humiliation of having to berth at a Chinese leased port. HMAS Coonawarra is nearby.
Scott Morrison says G7 leaders back Australia's stand over China
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the leaders of G7 nations have a "strong level of support" for the stand Australia has taken against China as the three-day summit wrapped up in Cornwall.
Key points:
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia had to be patient to repair its troubled relationship with China, after speaking to G7 leaders about tensions in the Indo-Pacific region
The G7 has agreed to strict measures on coal-fired power plants and promised to move away from coal generated power
Mr Morrison is now in London for talks with UK officials and to discuss the Australia/UK free trade agreement
Speaking shortly before departing for talks with UK officials in London, Mr Morrison said there was increased awareness from European nations about tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and Australia had to be patient to restore its troubled relationship with China.
"What I detected was a significant and increasing awareness of the impact of tensions in the Indo-Pacific for the broader global system, and that in particular relates to Europe," Mr Morrison said.
"There was a very high level of awareness and a very strong level of support for what has been a very consistent and clear stand that Australia has taken, consistent with our liberal democratic values which are shared by all of those who joined in on the discussions these last few days."
Throughout the three-day event, their first face-to-face meeting in almost two years, the underlying message of the G7 leaders was about the importance of the world's democracies uniting as they face the biggest challenges since World War II.
Namely, the pandemic, China's growing power and climate change.
On an assertive China, Mr Morrison has the G7 nations on side, but there was immediate criticism that the leaders had not gone far enough in tangible action against Beijing.
But, in a sign of the Western economies starting to muscle up against Beijing, China featured in the final communique.
The leaders agreed to call out human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang and take action against forced labour practices in the agricultural, solar and garment sectors.
Mr Morrison confirmed he spoke with G7 leaders about the infamous list of 14 grievances against Australia from a Chinese diplomat in Canberra late last year, saying it was no surprise to some of them.
"To have set those out and there is not a country who would sit around that table that would see concession on any of those 14 points as something they also would tolerate," he said.
"So I think it just set out very clearly that there are differences in world view here, and they may never be able to be resolved.
"But living with China, which is the goal, also requires us to be very clear about what our values are and what our principles are and how our countries are run, free of interference."
Scott Morrison sits down with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden.
Scott Morrison sat down with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden for a trilateral meeting.(
Supplied: Australian Government)
The G7 leaders also called for a full thorough investigation into the origins of COVID-19, which will infuriate China’s President Xi Jinping.
https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-06-14/morrison-g7-leaders-back-australia-stand-on-china/100212798
The Chinese petulant child like diplomacy has drawn countries closer together in a mutual self interest. Maybe they should have paid more attention to Sun Tzu. Have your enemies concentrating on what divides then not what unites them. The are shooting themselves in the foot with this war mongering belacose rhetoric.
Monkey see, monkey do:-
Australia vows to ‘vigorously defend’ itself against China WTO complaint
Beijing has launched a formal challenge against Australian tariffs on several Chinese products in the latest escalation of the dispute between the two countries.
The Chinese government’s decision to take action through the World Trade Organization follows Australia’s own twin challenges against Beijing’s imposition of tariffs on Australian barley and wine.
The Chinese commerce ministry announced late on Thursday that it would use WTO procedures to challenge Australia’s measures targeting railway wheels, wind towers, and stainless steel sink products from China.
Australia vows to ‘vigorously defend’ itself against China WTO complaint (msn.com)
Australia v China
September 2nd 2021
China v Australia
November 16th 2021
Socceroos World Cup hub: Australia's qualification path for Qatar 2022, squads, results, standings, fixtures, draw, goalscorers
The Socceroos have reached the third round of Asia's World Cup qualification, with the top two teams from each of the two groups booking a ticket to the Qatar 2022 tournament.
The Graham Arnold-led Australian team will be aiming to qualify for their fifth consecutive World Cup - and a sixth in the nation's history.
Australia has received their final path to the World Cup, with a favourable draw featuring Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Oman and Vietnam.
Sporting News looks at everything you need to know about the Socceroos' quest to once again feature on football's biggest stage.
Socceroos World Cup hub: Australia's qualification path for Qatar 2022, squads, results, standings, fixtures, draw, goalscorers | Sporting News Australia
Well that should be a tasty pair of fixtures.
You have to admire FIFA's sense of humour. I expect the chinkies will be whinging again.
Socceroos ease past China 3-0 in Qatar World Cup qualifier
The Socceroos have notched up a comfortable 3-0 win over China in World Cup qualifying in Doha this morning.
Awer Mabil, Martin Boyle and Mitchell Duke all scored as the Socceroos ran rampant against a limited China side that failed to muster a single shot on target.
Playing in Qatar due to issues with travelling back to Australia related to COVID quarantine requirements, the Socceroos got their third phase of Asian qualifying off to the best possible start within the air-conditioned confines of the Khalifa International Stadium.
Coach Graham Arnold said he was" very proud" of his team's performance.
"There is a lot more improvement left ... I thought we were fantastic tonight."
https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-09-03/socceroos-vs-china-live-updates-world-cup-qualifier/100419322
In these fractious times, the two main global antagonists seem to be China and the USA. But at least they have one thing in common. Neither is much good at soccer.
Australia has aligned itself with US policy. It makes for interesting defense policies in Australia, particularly with the closer geographical connection to the Chines mainland.
Despite this, China obviously feels confident to allow US spending to bloom in the pacific region. Australia has chosen the way forward in dealing with the Chinese strangulation of the economy, and the US are happy to take advantage.
Better to be tied to a democratic alliance, than a future with strings attached. Time will tell.
If that is strangulation, gimme more, more, more! (Recent tussle aside.)the Chinese strangulation of the economy,
We owe a lot to China, by far our largest trade partner. Basically it keeps us fat n happy.
We owe a lot to the US, our great friends and allies. Basically our security guarantor.
Increasingly, there is friction between the two- and we walk a Dplomatic tightrope.
Australia does not wish to be indebted to a Chinese government that engulfs much smaller countries with cheap loans.
It also acts as a diplomatic sponge, sucking up the east v west tensions. It’s a brave stance, but which way do you turn?
We are not. We sell far more to them than they buy from us. They are not even the largest foreign owner of our farms, mines & properties (but coming up in the ranks). We owe their banks sweet FA.
"We're all doing fine in the Lucky Country. Doin' alright, 'cus we're making money"
Aye, there's the rub. Especially with the US going Rogue this century.It’s a brave stance, but which way do you turn?
Last edited by sabang; 08-09-2021 at 06:39 AM.
Economics #001"We're all doing fine in the Lucky Country. Doin' alright, 'cus we're making money"
Australia to get nuclear-powered submarines, will scrap $90b program to build French-designed subs
Australia's next submarine fleet will be nuclear-powered under an audacious plan that will see a controversial $90 billion program to build up to 12 French-designed submarines scrapped.
Key points:
Joe Biden is expected to make an announcement at 7:00am AEST
The ABC understands the Prime Minister convened a National Security Committee of Cabinet yesterday
It's expected that there will be an increased presence of American nuclear subs in the region
The ABC understands Australia will use American and British technology to configure its next submarine fleet in a bid to replace its existing Collins class subs with a boat more suitable to the deteriorating strategic environment.
Australia, the United States and Britain are expected to jointly announce a new trilateral security partnership on Thursday, with a focus on aligning technology and regional challenges.
But Australia's embrace of nuclear-powered submarines will have its political and technological challenges, given there is no domestic nuclear industry.
The new three-nation security pact – called AUKUS – will be seen by China as a bid to counter its regional influence, especially in the contested South China Sea.
The nuclear submarines would likely be based in WA.
In 2017, the Turnbull government announced French company Naval Group (then known as DCNS) had been selected for this country's largest-ever defence contract, to design and build "regionally superior" conventional submarines.
The ABC understands Prime Minister Scott Morrison convened a National Security Committee of Cabinet on Tuesday ahead of coordinated announcements in Washington and London.
Cabinet ministers were given special COVID exemptions to travel to Canberra for the top-secret discussions.
In a highly unusual step, the Prime Minister also invited Labor leader Anthony Albanese and three of his senior shadow ministers to be briefed on the plan.
American media reports say US President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver "brief remarks about a national security initiative" on Wednesday afternoon in Washington local time.
A well-placed military source has told the ABC the Defence Department's general manager of submarines, Greg Sammut, has called an urgent "clear lower decks" meeting for tomorrow morning to discuss the dramatic development.
Another senior official said "top secret" briefings have been arranged at the Defence Department on Thursday.
Inside military circles there is also speculation that the transition to a new nuclear submarine program could initially be overseen by Retired US Vice Admiral William Hilarides, who chairs the federal government's Naval Shipbuilding Expert Advisory Panel.
Government sources say Mr Morrison tried unsuccessfully to line up a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, but it has now been instead scheduled for Thursday.
The ABC has been told that news of Australia's decision was instead delivered to Paris by the secretary of the Defence Department Greg Moriarty.
Allied naval presence is expected to increase north of Australia — including in the contested South China Sea — as part of a coordinated tri-continental push against Beijing territorial aggression.
Australia, the United States and Britain are expected to reorient their submarine and warship fleets to counter China's increasing regional presence.
Regional diplomatic missions across Canberra are expecting to be briefed on the announcement on Thursday afternoon.
https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-09-15/allied-naval-united-states-biden-australia-nuclear-submarines/100465628
I am excited about submarines this week so I have begun assembling some mock-up wireframe designs for the noo merkin powered nook sub.
So far I am liking the British Astute Class attack submarine design though, so it could be a bit of fusion cuisine on the strategic defence menu
I cannot help but feel that the froglets had it coming with their widely reported slack wanky attitude when it came to late arrivals at meetings
I have no idea about the military and its assets, but I read your posts on this topic with genuine interest and admire your collection of little soldiers and aircraft from afar. Everyone needs a hobby.
Aesthetically and technically speaking, what does this US/UK/AUS pact mean (apart from a bit of wounded French pride, which is always good)?
Navy ditherers
Design change mid programme is one of the main reasons the UK programmes end up overspending, year after year after year, you get the idea and contractors don't care, delay and change = money and profit.
Interesting stuff. I was not aware of the details of the design evolution.
I have taken a leaf straight out of the AUKUS playbook for my first prototype. When it comes to nook subs you go big or you go home and this 1/72 scale cute brute bewt is 1 metre in length.
I have also indulged a retro design ethos. I like the way modern cars are starting to borrow from and pay tribute to the classics so for the Aussie nookulator I have gone for a classic teardrop profile a-la 1950s US sub design language of the Skipjack.
The Skipjack was the 2nd class of nooclear sub to be fielded by the US Navy in 1959. It followed the Skate class, which was inspired by the original ground breaking Nautilus from 1955. The Skipjack class was the first to feature the classic, soon-to-be retro-chic, teardrop hull and took its name from the similarly shaped sandwich filling.
Get the wrong end of this bewt up ya, Winnie - says Roo.
Aukus: Australia's big gamble on the US over China
By signing the Aukus pact last week, Australia sent a strong message that it was taking the side of the US over China.
It's a definitive move for a country in the Asia-Pacific region, experts say.
The security deal with the US and the UK gives Australia a huge defence upgrade from the world's most powerful military.
But it's a gift with strings attached. And there is debate over whether such a decision - made without public consultation - will play out in Australia's national interests.
Shift from the middle ground
As China has grown in power, it has begun to challenge US dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.
China has built the world's largest navy and has become increasingly assertive over contested areas such as the South China Sea.
Australia had long maintained it didn't have to choose between the two powers, but in recent years its attitude towards Beijing has hardened.
China has been suspected of interfering in Australian politics and of cyber attacks on key institutions.
Tensions were further inflamed last year when Australia called for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. A flurry of Chinese sanctions against Australian exports followed.
That was Australia's "a-ha" moment, says John Blaxland, an international security professor at the Australian National University.
Scott Morrison (centre) speaks in a joint virtual press conference with his US and UK counterparts in announcing the Aukus security pact.image source, EPA
image captionAustralian leader Scott Morrison described Aukus as a "forever partnership" that aimed to enhance regional security
"What happened was the dawning realisation that all these things that had proceeded weren't benign," he says. "We were talking about a country that had become surprisingly hostile."
Australia realised it needed to improve its defences - and quickly.
The main advantage
On that front, Aukus is a big coup for the country. The pact will give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines and long-range missiles from US technology.
"All of this is about giving the Australian Defence Force a capable edge in a region where the capability of our own defence force when matched against China is going backwards," said Richard Maude, a former top Australian security official and now policy director at Asia Society Australia.
An Australian soldier waves to a US navy ship during a joint exercise in the Pacificimage source, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
image captionAukus means Australia and the US will work closely together in future maritime operations
In the event of conflict, Australia would for the first time have the ability to strike adversaries from a distance.
What does the US get?
For the US, it's a pretty big deal to share the crown jewels of its defence technology.
But Washington views this "one off" trade as a crucial move in wider efforts to keep China at bay, experts say.
The American and Australian flags projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House on 1 September 2021 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Anzus security allianceimage source, Getty Images
image captionThe American and Australian flags were projected onto the Sydney Opera House a few weeks ago to mark the 70th anniversary of the Anzus security alliance
As China projects naval power into the region, Australia's fleet - albeit small and some way off being completed - will be some form of counter alongside roving US forces, they add.
"We're trying to play catch-up by developing a credible deterrence to reduce prospects of war," says Prof Blaxland.
"Because at the moment our deterrence is simply not credible. China can essentially act against us with a degree of impunity. That is becoming politically intolerable."
But what are the disadvantages?
Critics argue Australia has given up its strategic ambiguity and made itself a bigger target because of the pact.
"The way in which it was announced rips away any pretence that Australia was not firmly on the side of containing China militarily," says Prof Allan Gyngell, president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Analysts warn Australia will probably face more economic retaliations from its biggest trading partner.
"The countries were a long way off returning to diplomatic normality and this only exacerbates that," says Dr Lai-Ha Chan from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Others say Aukus also locks Australia in with the US for generations to come.
Australia's Defence Minister Peter Dutton and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin stand in a ceremony outside the Pentagon held for the Australian's visitimage source, Reuters
image captionAustralia's defence minister visited his US counterpart in Washington last week
In the future, Australia may struggle to retain autonomy over decisions in its best interests. It will be reliant on foreign nuclear technology.
"We can't operate the submarines ourselves. So in effect we are ceding some of our sovereignty to the US, and maybe Britain," Prof Gyngell says.
"It will become therefore impossible for the major strike capacity of the Australian navy to operate without a US veto."
He says it also returns Australia to being "a smaller partner in the Anglosphere", despite it making noises in recent times about centring itself in Asia.
"We're hanging out again with the people we're comfortable with, ditching efforts to build closer relations with others in our region," Prof Gyngell says. "That is a problem."
Views in the region
Mr Maude also highlights the risk where South-East Asia will "increasingly feel that Australia regards security of the region as something that can only be managed by other major Western powers."
It's already caused some backlash within the Asean group of 10 South-East Asian nations.
Indonesia has cancelled a meeting with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Malaysia has warned the pact is a "catalyst for a nuclear arms race".
Analyst James Chin, from the University of Tasmania, says that Aukus "reinforces the idea that the opinions of the Asean members matter little when it comes to the superpowers and how they operate in the region."
That said, some analysts say many smaller Asian nations are happy for the US, UK and Australia to make bold moves.
"In private, the pundits will tell you: 'We think you Australians are clod-hopping, ham-fisted and culturally insensitive but we don't dislike what you're actually doing. We just dislike how you're doing it - we'd like you to talk to us before you do it so we feel more included and appreciated,'" says Prof Blaxland.
The impact on Australia
Most experts say Australia has mishandled its diplomacy around Aukus. It also gravely offended France in reneging on the previous submarine deal.That's a poor sign, experts say, because international relations is as much about diplomacy - as it is about military pacts.It is in Australia's interests - and other democracies - for the US to maintain its dominance in the region, analysts say. But scholars are fundamentally divided on the best way to achieve that.Some say a more cautious approach is needed; more hawkish voices say China won't respond to anything but a show of force.One thing seems certain - we're headed for a period of greater tension."We're used to East Asia being a place of calm in a world. That's no longer going to be true," says Prof Gyngell.
"So foreign policy and defence is going to impinge more on the lives of ordinary Australians than it has in past decades. Things are coming closer to home."
Aukus: Australia'''s big gamble on the US over China - BBC News
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