Opinion: Malcolm Turnbull has had his critics over the years but it’s now absolutely clear that Turnbull’s policy towards China was very much in Australia’s best interests
It’s important, in the interests of constructive debate, to recognise when political leaders who have been the object of serious criticism in the past turn out to have done something right and to praise them fully for it.
Before Turnbull, Coalition and Labor governments embraced a policy of engagement towards the People’s Republic. That meant Australia took advantage of the lucrative China market and, as a consequence, weathered the global financial storm of 2008-09. Engagement was also premised on the liberal idea that the more China embraced market economics and integrated with the world, the more likely its rise would be peaceful.
Before Turnbull, Coalition and Labor governments embraced a policy of engagement towards the People’s Republic.It was especially wise of Turnbull’s government to block bidders from China for Australia’s largest electricity network, to bring in foreign interference laws that kept Chinese influence at bay and to keep Huawei out of the 5G network, which could have ended up holding the country to ransom.
If Turnbull were a Trump lickspittle, how do his critics account for Canberra’s decision to reject US requests to carry out freedom-of-navigation patrols in the South China Sea 12-nautical-mile security zone? Leave the heavy lifting to Uncle Sam.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China shocks economy with massive stimulus to soften landingChina’s central bank has injected more monetary stimulus in a surprise move as the economy survives the property downturn and battles an ongoing pandemic.
Read more »
How a jade ornament from China casts new light on Freud’s psycheAn exhibition at the analyst’s London home, now a museum, aims to unlock what the Orient meant to him
Read more »
Year of the Tiger shapes as crucial one for ChinaA likely third term for Xi Jinping, the showcasing of the E-yuan and the future of the COVID-Zero strategy will all be important over the next 12 months.
Read more »
Exporters find other markets as China trade bans fail to biteAustralian exporters are withstanding China’s trade penalties imposed on farmers and coal miners, by successfully redeploying their products to other foreign markets.
Read more »
Rio Tinto’s delicate iron ore dance with ChinaThe reliance of Rio Tinto’s iron ore business on China’s economy is hammered home in its 2021 production numbers. But 2022 will bring a new set of challenges.
Read more »
Australia facing ‘surprise’ new China threatA port in Papua New Guinea? Submarines in the Solomon Islands? Combat aircraft at Kiribati? Australia has been warned to expect a Chinese “strategic surprise” in 2022.
Read more »