Australia: calf crushed in a bullfight
The latest and sudden change of tone of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pointing to the greater belief on Australian policies and politics are influenced by US politics and individuals there. His statement reverberates Australia simply runs behind the US to accomplish their interest.
For the last four years of Trump-cracy, Morrison carried an agenda to publicly criticise China, campaign against their internal affairs and block Chinese presence in Australia in whatever way possible. Australia-China relation has the lowest ebb in history with open and diplomatic spat.
Now Trump is gone. Morrison sent a message to Washington saying it must mend its relations with Beijing. Is there any reason why Morrison should worry about US-China relations over Australia-China relations? This contradicted his own recent statement that Australia will not be America’s “deputy sheriff” and Canberra will not be making decisions based on a choice between Washington and Beijing.
For years, Australia and its allies believed economic prosperity was impossible under communist regime – pointing to the collapse of the USSR. China defied this theory and built its economy solid.
As China defied history, building a powerful economy while doubling down on authoritarianism, our greed turned into fear. When China widened its influence and military presence in the East China Sea, the western democracy trembled. There is no validity in their notion that China cannot host its army in the East China sea while the US can.
For the last four year, the US politics concentrated around Russian interference in its politics, with not enough evidence. The allegations were based on perceptions of the politicians and strategists. Here is Australia, there have been ubiquitous allegations of China interfering into national politics.
The Morrison government failed to look at itself. While Australia and the US have constantly and consistently interfered into Chinese politics openly, be it in the name of freedom, democracy or human rights, China has never raised questions about Australian positions. We are very aware of the history of US interference in internal politics of many other countries — even propping up dictators when it suited.
We may argue we are defending fundamentals of liberal democracy, but we as believers of pluralism must understand our opponent has the right to defend its system and believe in what it does. Believing in our political doctrine is one thing, interfering in others’ internal affairs is another.
China is an emerging power and Australia has to accept the reality. Australia is within the Chinese sphere of influence. If Australian wants to pose itself as the crusader of peace in the pacific region, the pacific order cannot be America dominated; if it is, then American exceptionalism and Chinese authoritarianism are on a collision course. As the Chinese saying goes: Two tigers cannot live on the same mountain.
Australia can compete with China only when it receives backing from the US. The US authority is already withering. The Chinese influence has expanded so wide that anti-China sentiments are concentrated merely within Five Eyes plus Japan. This may not be enough to ward off Chinese influence. There is no meaning for Australia to campaigning when it loses both in economic and political fronts
Before lecturing the US to mend ties with China, Morrison must come out of the closet to continue anti-China rhetoric. Australia and China have political differences but that must not convert to confrontation to punish the economy and consumers. Australia has the right to table its concern about democracy, human rights and freedom in China but wisely and in more diplomatic channels.
Australian must build an image that it is the mannequin of the US interests. This is not an America-dominated world. It isn’t yet a “post-American” world either. But China takes over the world leadership, it shall certainly come under scrutiny which will force it to change the way it treats others.