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https://theconversation.com/is-australia-in-the-firing-line-of-a-new-chinese-campaign-against-the-us-185696>
"How can Australia navigate the tough and dangerous strategic environment in
Asia today with America and China competing to be the leading regional power?
The consensus in Canberra – on both sides of politics – is that we should stick
as close as we can to America, in the hope it will win the contest.
But the choice is not that simple. We can see why when we look at a couple of
incidents on the same day in late May.
In two widely separated locations, Chinese fighters intercepted maritime patrol
aircraft – Australian and Canadian respectively – in the Western Pacific. Both
were undertaking routine surveillance operations in international waters close
to Chinese-claimed territory. China has long been touchy about US and allied
maritime surveillance operations close to its shores, and it frequently warns
them off.
But this might be more than routine Chinese belligerence. It could be the start
of a new campaign to turn up the military pressure on America’s leadership in
Asia by eroding the credibility of its regional strategic posture and alliances
– and it would put Australia right in the firing line.
It is a fair bet that eventually China will bring its challenge to America to a
head in a military confrontation over Taiwan. But that might not be its next
move. It would make sense for China to look for other opportunities to test
America’s resolve and undermine its credibility before risking that ultimate
showdown. Targeting the maritime surveillance operations of US allies in waters
around China’s coasts would seem an obvious and effective way to do this."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
