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  1. #526
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    It is a ludicrous assumption, and one which I did not make- where did you get that fantasy from? But when you have, say, a serving Australian General being quoted in the Press as saying he believes there is a good chance of war with China in the next five years, things are getting pretty ludicrous aren't they?? This really happened- and the bloke should have lost his job. It is the western press that has been beating the war drums by megaphoning and exaggerating these type of comments (thanks rupert), much more so than the Chinese Press. People in glass houses should not throw stones.


    I find myself wondering if many aussies have any idea at all what side their bread is buttered on. When I hear stoopid things like 'oh, we'll just sell the iron ore to someone else then', it is a real face palm moment. The plain fact is, even impacted producers (eg wine, seafood, barley, beef) that can at least export some of their produce to other markets are having to sell at a considerably lower price to do so. Booming iron ore prices and sales (ta China) make the national accounts look good- but they conceal a lot of pain in several sectors.

    All so unnecessary, because it all started when some idiotic aussie 'Dep'ty Sheriff' politicians started parroting the invective of that blundering idiot Mike Pompousarse- who was already on his way out. To quote an old parable- just keep your damn mouth shut and let them think you a fool, rather than opening it and proving them right.

    The "poisoned Chinese tit" will be the world's largest economy within a decade, and at least 30% larger than the US by 2050. Economically speaking, no country has benefitted more from the rise of China than Australia (well, except perhaps a billion Chinese people lifted out of dire poverty). Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs? The Chinese are in no way compelled to favour Australia as a source of so many things, and them changing that dependency is in no way a declaration of war. It is however a spectacular act of self immolation on the part of Australia.
    There you have finally nailed it. They are still to lift many more out of poverty while uplifting many millions more just barely above the poverty line. In that they still have a long way to go. They know it would set them back to halt iron ore shipments. Why do you think they are still buying Australian ore at record prices? As to coal China is building 88 GW of coal fired power stations part of a total of 247 GW planned. They were in trouble last Winter with heating cut backs due to coal shortages Boycotting australian coal will put the price through the roof. They have underestimated Australias resolve and are now trying to make an example to show countries their compliance is expected as part of the trading terms. The U.S. with all its many faults is still way ahead of anyone else as a world power. The E.U. is a paper tiger and always will be with 27 self interested nations. It cant even deal with Turkey or for that matter its own illegal migrant problem, let alone a power like China. It's planning on making itself or at least its biggest member more energy dependant on its biggest rival.
    You seem to imply that trade is a means in itself and that rogue nations should go on unchecked for the sake of trade.
    Nations cannot allow themselves to be bullied. It just kicks the day of reckoning further down the road and it will come. The Phills are a good example of how far aquiescing to China gets you.

  2. #527
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Cow View Post
    The E.U. is a paper tiger and always will be with 27 self interested nations.
    ...definitely an amalgam of shopkeepers under a thick layer of self-perpetuating myopic bureaucracy that still depends on the US for defense...

  3. #528
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    Defence against Whom, in the current century? The Cold war has finished (last century actually), and Russia is the largest energy supplier to Europe, which is the largest foreign investor in Russia.
    So I suspect the inordinate amount of US military bases in Europe and elsewhere is mainly to feed Americas own oversized ego, and self delusion it is the 'indispensible country'.

  4. #529
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    So I suspect the inordinate amount of US military bases in Europe and elsewhere is mainly to feed Americas own oversized ego, and self delusion it is the 'indispensible country'.
    ...your suspicions appear to have overtaken your common sense...

  5. #530
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    Your Americanness overrides your common sense, historical perspective, and viewpoint of the world as it really is. Funny really, because you fund most of it while a large part of your nation subsists on the poverty line, with what seems to an aussie aging second world infrastructure and public facilities.

    The challenge facing America in the real world is to pay your burger flippers better, not open yet another unwanted, unneeded military base in some foreign place.

  6. #531
    Thailand Expat havnfun's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    The challenge facing America in the real world is to pay your burger flippers better, not open yet another unwanted, unneeded military base in some foreign place.
    Easy answer to that, Stop all immigration for 5 years.

    Weird how most immigration is out of places like China to places like USA Australia &England

  7. #532
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by havnfun View Post
    Easy, impractical and dumb answer to that
    ...ftfy...

  8. #533
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    Quote Originally Posted by havnfun View Post
    Weird how most immigration is out of places like China to places like USA Australia &England
    and those who come to the US they all come via Mexico.

  9. #534
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by havnfun View Post
    Easy answer to that, Stop all immigration for 5 years.
    ameristan can't afford the loss.

    Those immigrants arrive mainly with the clothes on their backs. Take day work at any rate. Spend any money they earn buying shelter, food and sending any surplus back home to feed their families.

    Once established, the family arrives and all live in squalor.

    Allegedly, the gdp value is 2% to 3%. It also ensures the ameristan pay rate remains low. Look for earnings growth for the ameristani bottom 60% for decades.

    Similar to Third World countries the world over. Go look at the shanty towns under the highway/train bridges.

    No need to travel far, Bangkok has them.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  10. #535
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    Quote Originally Posted by havnfun View Post
    Easy answer to that, Stop all immigration for 5 years.
    Easy solution to that: Stop all the wars for ever and repay what was damaged that the refugee can live there...

  11. #536
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Easy solution to that: Stop all the wars for ever and repay what was damaged that the refugee can live there...
    I agree . . . some countries have done similar - others not, right Klongdick






    Chechnya in all its glory - Russian invasion and annihilation

  12. #537
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    Are you a Czechen nationalist PH?

  13. #538
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Czechen
    ...yet another sign of mental fog...US lasers have penetrated your tin foil!...

  14. #539
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    Do you think I misspelt Czech, einstein?

  15. #540
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Do you think I misspelt Czech, einstein?
    It has nothing to do with them, though.


    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Are you a Czechen nationalist PH?
    Doesn't exist

  16. #541
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    Idiotic (as usually) whataboutism in the thread of Australia - China...

    BTW, anybody has idea what's the current situation of the restored life in Chechnya? After years of disasters during Yeltsin rule?

  17. #542
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Idiotic
    Yes, yet you still post

  18. #543
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    I was always told by Norwegians and Swedes that Danes are the Italians of Scandinavia . . . not a bad thing, really, and hardly an insult.
    They probably went on a day trip to Copenhagen and tasted spagetti for the first, only and last time.

    They aren't too informed and are mostly confused, even when sober.


    We'll forgive them; the poor souls

  19. #544
    A Cockless Wonder
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    Japan throws support behind Australia over opposition to China's economic 'coercion'

    Japan's government has backed Australia against China's campaign of economic coercion, suggesting Beijing's informal trade sanctions on Australian exporters have destabilised the international system.
    Key points:

    Japan and Australia agreed to urge a peaceful resolution to tensions over Taiwan

    The voiced "serious concerns" over reports of human rights abuses in China's far western region of Xinjiang

    The countries said they were "drawn ever closer by our shared strategic interests"

    Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton met their Japanese counterparts — Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi — via video link earlier on Wednesday.

    The two countries issued a detailed joint statement in the aftermath of the meeting touching on a wide range of issues, including Myanmar, defence cooperation and tensions in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

    The joint statement does not specifically mention China's moves to hit a range of Australian products with sanctions in retaliation for broader political disputes.

    But it makes a clear reference to the trade tensions, saying: "We commit to opposing coercion and destabilising behaviour by economic means, which undermines the rules-based international system."

    The statement also declares the two countries "are drawn ever closer by our shared strategic interests in the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and beyond, and deep economic complementarity".

    "We pledge to further strengthen cooperation in the area of economic security. We express concern over coercive economic practices and will work with partners to address economic challenges to support a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific," it reads.

    And for the first time in a joint Australia-Japan statement, the two countries also broached the sensitive subject of Taiwan.

    The self-governing island, which is claimed by China's government, has been facing increasing military pressure from Beijing.

    Mr Motegi later told reporters the Australia and Japanese ministers "confirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and agreed to urge a peaceful resolution of the cross-Strait issues".
    'Serious concerns' raised over reports of human rights abuses in Xinjiang

    Both nations also voiced "serious concerns" over reports of human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China's far western region of Xinjiang.

    Calls have grown from some Western nations to investigate if China's actions in Xinjiang amount to genocide, as the United States and parliaments in nations such as Britain and Canada have described China's policies there.
    China's Xinjiang crackdown
    A huge detention complex in Xinjiang seen by satellite, it has a high perimeter wall with watchtowers.

    China appears to be expanding its network of secret detention facilities in Xinjiang, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says.
    Read more

    "We share serious concerns about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang," the joint statement says.

    "We call on China to grant urgent, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent international observers, including the UN high commissioner for human rights."

    When Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Tokyo last year Japan and Australia also announced in-principle agreement to a new reciprocal access agreement (RAA) for military forces.

    The two countries have not yet signed the agreement, but the joint statement said both sides would "commit to accelerating all outstanding tasks to sign the RAA at the earliest possible opportunity".

    https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-06-09/australia-japan-urge-peace-stability-taiwan-trait-joint-meeting/100203080

  20. #545
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Looper View Post
    The countries said they were "drawn ever closer by our shared strategic interests"
    ...perhaps the Japs would agree to greatly increase their imports of Australian wine...

  21. #546
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    They already own our biggest brewery.

  22. #547
    A Cockless Wonder
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    Australia could soon host more US marines in Darwin

    Australia could soon be hosting more US marines and warships, with Defence Minister Peter Dutton declaring he wants greater military cooperation with our closest ally.
    Key points:

    The ABC has learnt there is a proposal to form a new joint US marines and ADF training brigade
    If it went ahead, it would be the first of its kind for Australia
    Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Australia's security depends on closer military ties with the US

    Senior officials from both nations are discussing options for expanded military cooperation, which the ABC has learnt include a proposal to form a new joint US marines and ADF training brigade based in Darwin.

    If established, the joint brigade would be the first of its kind for Australia and would likely involve a rotating command with the United States.

    Concerns over China's rise are driving a rethink of how the United States can best respond to future threats in the Indo-Pacific, and where to place military assets.

    US President Joe Biden has ordered a global force posture review "to ensure the footprint of American service members worldwide is correctly sized and supports strategy".

    In his first major policy speech since taking over the Defence portfolio, Mr Dutton declared Australia's security depended on closer military ties with its ANZUS ally.

    "I think that is in our own security interest, and I think it is in the interest of the US as well," he said.

    "In terms of composition and numbers and what it might look like, I will leave that for another day.

    "But there is a desire by us to see a further strengthening of that relationship and that engagement."

    The first 200 US Marines from the 2020 Marine Rotational Force arrive in Darwin wearing face masks.
    Thousands of marines rotate through Australia for training each year.(

    Supplied: Department of Defence)

    Mr Dutton agreed there was scope to increase the size of the US marine rotational force in the Top End from its pre-COVID level of 2,500, and to base US navy vessels at HMAS Stirling near Perth.

    "We'll have those discussions with the United States, but there's a clear desire for us to continue to strengthen that program and we'll look at ways in which we can do that," he said.

    Addressing the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), Mr Dutton also said the question of how Australia should navigate its relationship with China was not complicated.

    "We have a respectful relationship with China from our own perspective. We are a peaceful nation, we seek to support our neighbours particularly in a time of need, and we have a need for that in response," he said.

    Appearing later at the ASPI conference, acting US ambassador Michael Goldman declined to comment on whether more American marines could soon be heading to Australia.

    "We have an AUSMIN (Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations) construct with a force posture review group and I think these things will all be considered in the context of that. I wouldn't want to get ahead of those," the charge d 'affairs said.

    https://www.abc. net.au/news/2021-06-10/peter-dutton-wants-more-us-marines-in-australia/100206142

  23. #548
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Such an action nobody could have predicted.



    Australia V China-qffvcde-gif

  24. #549
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Such an action nobody could have predicted.
    Something instigated this action, can you guess what it was?

  25. #550
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Something instigated this action, can you guess what it was?
    Did Australia lose the war? (to US?)

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