Hmmm… not such a good idea. This will most likely be a one-way street.
Australia to boost military ties with China
Then there is this.
US Says China Backsliding on Human Rights
Tibetan monastery faceoff nears crisis point
This is what happens when you don’t contain communists. Too late now. The U.S. owes big money and Australia makes big GDP from stuff it digs up out of the ground and sells to China.
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Pig iron Bob, and now
jiǎn Julia.
Sticking my neck out here… I think it is a pragmatic and logical strategic track for AUS.
And I furthermore think the US should be more robustly advancing this posture. It’s pragmatic and proper I think, given where we are in the world events and history. Seriously, I’d have no problem with RAAF deciding to skip F-35 and instead go with J-15, albeit fit for Aussi standards – perhaps integrate APG-82, the latest F-15E+ computer (plus latest EW system and integrating the Rafael/elbit SoJ/EA jam pod) and possibly the next-gen F110 advanced-augmentation powerplant under development? It would be cheaper than the F-35 and have better endurance, better BVR situational awareness and tactical flexibility.. and who in the immediate region would screw with RAAF with that?
OK, that might be a bit ‘outside the box’, but seriously… the world is rapidly changing as we post and we better at least be in the best position to drive going forward, as major powers, rather than rely on the slow, unsustainable, old world manner of doing things..
Heck, maybe US could strategically import 50 million Chinese labor to build a next-gen infrastructure for USA on the cheap? In exchange for US citizenship and paying taxes into the system helping correct US Debt? China would have 50 million fewer working class population it would need to integrate at very high cost and could have a more stable US repayment outlook. That is being outside the box, folks. Sure, it would take planning and leadership. It couldn’t just be: Ready, fire, aim.
As far as Chi communism goes and having to deal with it, AUS et al would actually be in a STRONGER position to influence the greater political sphere of operations and translate ‘other’ ideas over the long-term. More than having to fear a regional ideological battle over it. I could be wrong and I would concede the point… but I just feel engaging strategically with China is now more than ever in our collective interests, as well allowing for more mutual development in a progressively fair, cooperative and Pacific region.
Perhaps not next year… but maybe by 2014-2016? Something to think about anyway… imho. God Speed.
There is already a push by some commentators to allow Chinese Construction firms to undertake Infrastructure projects in Australia, for (1), to get it built and (2) stop the outragoeus wages being paid to workers on major Union Construction sites.Good call.
(Cooks on the North West Shelf earn more than the PM, although they probably do a better job)
Some years ago the Rusians offred several Su27′s for a free trial, and the RAAF could not say no fast enough.
Nothing like flexible thinking. An excellent airframe, add western construction standards, western engines and electronics, you could be right!
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Building-construction-China-unions-Leighton-Austra-pd20110427-GARHN?OpenDocument
Well the Chinese are well on their way to building a large modern blue water navy which the Australian military will be dealing with in the future, so developing closer ties is logical.
I also doubt there’s much Australian military technology that they already don’t know about, so not much concern there.
Still as Eric has pointed out, what the Chinese business interests say, and what the Government and Military actually do can be totally different things. So talking while being wary is the best course of action at this point.
Let me know if a 52C Destroyer shows up and offers public tours, I might have to make a special trip to see it!
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Type_052C_destroyer