China says Australia would be unwise to follow United States
Ruan Zongze, a member of an advisory committee to the Chinese government, said freedom of navigation as pursued by the US had gone far beyond what was permitted under international law and Australia shouldn’t follow.
He said he could not prejudge China’s reaction were Australia to conduct a freedom of navigation exercise in that zone.
“It would be unwise, it would be wrong and it will be devastating for Australia to join that kind of very dangerous exercise. You take a position to challenge China’s sovereignty,” he told Sky News.
Mr Ruan said China recognised that Australia was a close ally of the US. “However, America is not always right,” he said pointing to the recent British inquiry into the Iraq war which showed the US made many mistakes.
“It would be dangerous for America and maybe for its ally to pursue a kind of very provocative so-called freedom of navigation (exercise).”
http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/china-says-australia-would-be-unwise-to-follow-united-states/news-story/b036eec263fbd287f97c478f4f58f60d
This is meant to be an Australia-specific thread.
The reality is that Australia is not really "following the US" but rather it just has the same position that all the other Pacific nations do, in having concerns about China. Including India, too, and small states like Singapore. Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, everybody.
So what do you Australians think? My opinion: Julie Bishop has actually been more assertive in rhetoric, than what the US line has been. A definite MISTAKE would be, NOT doing the freedom of navigation patrols, after talking so tough.
If you talk tough, then you have to follow through, or Australia would lose credibility in the region.
The central issue at hand, are international waters, which Australia has a right to sail through. Just as India does -- the Indian Navy is making it a point, too, to go up there and sail around.
Joe Biden's in Australia, right now:
The US vice-president arrived in Australia on Saturday for a four-day tour, which included attending the opening of the $1bn Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and attending an Australian rules football game with the foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop. On Monday he toured a Boeing factory in Melbourne that makes a component of aeroplane wings, which are then sent to the US to be assembled. ...
Biden was due to fly to Sydney on Monday afternoon to meet with the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/18/joe-biden-praises-trade-links-with-australia-before-talks-with-malcolm-turnbull
Deloitte: Australia's dependence on China 'huge', political gridlock threatens
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/deloitte-brexit-business-outlook/7637816
Australian MP calls on gov't not to add to tension in South China Sea
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/17/c_135519551.htm
Australia warned to stay out of South China Sea row
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/32076484/australia-warned-to-stay-out-of-south-china-sea-row/#page1
Air Force 2 - Takeoff at Melbourne Airport (USA Vice President)
https://youtu.be/_7f3ZWE49sY
US Vice President Joe Biden's motorcade in Melbourne https://youtu.be/VVYez9n7mbQ
Just to note, Biden's Pacific trip was primarily security related. He met with the allies, Japanese and South Korean officials, and before that he was on the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier, in Hawaii. He gave a speech about freedom of navigation in the south china sea, and upholding international law, and that the US will be in the region for the very long term.
And then, he went to Australia. If the US and Australia played it up as being about cancer research and trade and seeing a football game, then I'd assume that was being sensitive to China.
No conspiracy theory here, though.. we are allies, after all. Biden was on a goodwill trip, and discussions with the Australian PM.