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Pretty full on poke by the Chinese here.
China really being spiteful towards Australia in the last 2-4 weeks. Crippled the wine industry, timber threatened and now a more blatant public relations offence against another country I can scarcely imagine.Can't think what set them off but Oz are in a tough position here
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@Siam said in Aussie Politics:
I guess that this is a response to the five eyes response to Hong Kong, Oz woudl make the easiest to hit and hit hard, given their reliance on China:
The foreign ministers of United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on November 18 expressing their concern about increasing Chinese curbs on Hong Kong’s autonomy, and Beijing’s imposition of rules that would disqualify elected legislators in particular. The statement notes: “Following the imposition of the National Security Law and postponement of September’s Legislative Council elections, this decision further undermines Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.”
Of course, this display of tact from the five countries hasn’t prevented China from lashing out at the joint statement. Referring to it as a statement from the “Five Eyes alliance,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian noted at the November 19 press briefing: “No matter if they have ‘five eyes’ or ‘ten eyes’, as soon as they dare to harm China’s sovereignty, security, or development interests, they should be careful lest their eyes be poked blind.” (Interestingly, as my colleague Shannon Tiezzi pointed out to me, Zhao’s original statement in Chinese and the English translation posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website vary somewhat, with the latter relatively toned down.)
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@Siam said in Aussie Politics:
Pretty full on poke by the Chinese here.
China really being spiteful towards Australia in the last 2-4 weeks. Crippled the wine industry, timber threatened and now a more blatant public relations offence against another country I can scarcely imagine.Can't think what set them off but Oz are in a tough position here
ScoMo going off half-cocked again. No one cares if you find imagery offensive. Now that you've demanded an apology, how are you going to back that demand up?
Surely Australia can do better than this happy clapping clown from marketing?
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
@Siam said in Aussie Politics:
Pretty full on poke by the Chinese here.
China really being spiteful towards Australia in the last 2-4 weeks. Crippled the wine industry, timber threatened and now a more blatant public relations offence against another country I can scarcely imagine.Can't think what set them off but Oz are in a tough position here
ScoMo going off half-cocked again. No one cares if you find imagery offensive. Now that you've demanded an apology, how are you going to back that demand up?
Surely Australia can do better than this happy clapping clown from marketing?
no, they can't.
Even as someone whose livelihood is very closely linked with China, something has to be done about those fuckers.
We've sold them our economies, and become beholden to them so that they will buy our shit, and send us cheaply priced consumer goods. They fucking know it, and they are starting to take the absolute piss. The amount of fucks they have to give about Australia is pretty fucking low, especially because the shit they really want off us they know the shareholders of Rio and BHP will be more than willing to sell them.
They won't play by the "rules" either. I heard over the weekend about Australia taking them to WTO. Fucking LOL, like they will give even a solitary fuck about what the WTO will say to them.
In the end the Aus Govt are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Say nothing, and they will be accused of being weak. Say something, and exporters will jump up and down about the Gov't ruining their industries.
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
@Siam said in Aussie Politics:
Pretty full on poke by the Chinese here.
China really being spiteful towards Australia in the last 2-4 weeks. Crippled the wine industry, timber threatened and now a more blatant public relations offence against another country I can scarcely imagine.Can't think what set them off but Oz are in a tough position here
ScoMo going off half-cocked again. No one cares if you find imagery offensive. Now that you've demanded an apology, how are you going to back that demand up?
Surely Australia can do better than this happy clapping clown from marketing?
Asking for an apology is a bit stupid, but what do you think he should have done? You can't just ignore that sort of shit. A statement of some kind had to be made (but not a useless demand/threat, agreed on that)
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@mariner4life said in Aussie Politics:
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
@Siam said in Aussie Politics:
Pretty full on poke by the Chinese here.
China really being spiteful towards Australia in the last 2-4 weeks. Crippled the wine industry, timber threatened and now a more blatant public relations offence against another country I can scarcely imagine.Can't think what set them off but Oz are in a tough position here
ScoMo going off half-cocked again. No one cares if you find imagery offensive. Now that you've demanded an apology, how are you going to back that demand up?
Surely Australia can do better than this happy clapping clown from marketing?
no, they can't.
Even as someone whose livelihood is very closely linked with China, something has to be done about those fuckers.
We've sold them our economies, and become beholden to them so that they will buy our shit, and send us cheaply priced consumer goods. They fucking know it, and they are starting to take the absolute piss. The amount of fucks they have to give about Australia is pretty fucking low, especially because the shit they really want off us they know the shareholders of Rio and BHP will be more than willing to sell them.
It's a market of 1.4 billion people going through a period of record development, so small wonder that last year China accounted for 27.5% of our total two-way trade and 34.3% of exports (https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/defau...oods_and_services_by_top_15_partners_2019.pdf). The problem is our economy is still largely dependent on exporting shit dug out of the ground. Instead of developing an educational sector, we've devalued it with no benefit to R&D.
They won't play by the "rules" either. I heard over the weekend about Australia taking them to WTO. Fucking LOL, like they will give even a solitary fuck about what the WTO will say to them.
In the end the Aus Govt are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Say nothing, and they will be accused of being weak. Say something, and exporters will jump up and down about the Gov't ruining their industries.
The problem is we haven't constrained ourselves to addressing China's meddling in our political institutions, nor geo-political issues in the South China Sea. We've assisted by ill-advised commentary on how and where a pandemic started, human rights etc. Small wonder those "rat fuckers" have leapt onto an opportunity to square the ledger.
If the Prime Minister was more statesmanlike, he'd have pointed out we're above getting our knickers in a twist about fake pictures. We don't get hysterical unlike some. That it's a rather pathetic attempt at old propaganda. And that unlike some jurisdications, we've at least instituted an investigation into our own. That both nations benefit from constructive dialogue and trade and this from some politician seeking notoriety doesn't help and he'd be seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador.
Instead it's still blowing up, given air.
I'd also point out in the environment of Rudd's petition and the News Media Bargaining Code, Twitter's hypocrisy and selectiveness is on the nose.
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@antipodean i don't disagree with any of that
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
If the Prime Minister was more statesmanlike, he'd have pointed out we're above getting our knickers in a twist about fake pictures. We don't get hysterical unlike some. That it's a rather pathetic attempt at old propaganda. And that unlike some jurisdications, we've at least instituted an investigation into our own. That both nations benefit from constructive dialogue and trade and this from some politician seeking notoriety doesn't help and he'd be seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador.
Instead it's still blowing up, given air.
I'd also point out in the environment of Rudd's petition and the News Media Bargaining Code, Twitter's hypocrisy and selectiveness is on the nose.
But we've tried statesmanlike. We've tried constructive dialogue. We've tried seeking an explanation from the ambassador.
It has gotten us precisely nowhere. I don't mind the reaction to this as it may well be the circuit breaker that is needed to get people around a table. Or not, who knows. China is just going to do what it does.
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@barbarian said in Aussie Politics:
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
If the Prime Minister was more statesmanlike, he'd have pointed out we're above getting our knickers in a twist about fake pictures. We don't get hysterical unlike some. That it's a rather pathetic attempt at old propaganda. And that unlike some jurisdications, we've at least instituted an investigation into our own. That both nations benefit from constructive dialogue and trade and this from some politician seeking notoriety doesn't help and he'd be seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador.
Instead it's still blowing up, given air.
I'd also point out in the environment of Rudd's petition and the News Media Bargaining Code, Twitter's hypocrisy and selectiveness is on the nose.
But we've tried statesmanlike. We've tried constructive dialogue. We've tried seeking an explanation from the ambassador.
None of Morrison's press conference I saw was statesmanlike, nor constructive. Perhaps those bits remain on the cutting room floor.
It fell to Marisa Payne to explain we'd called in the ambassador for an apology. What I see from Morrison is an attempt to play to the Daily Telegraph crowd as he perceives them. A strategy thwart with danger given they apparently turned on him over the bushfires - ironically for something I don't think merited the angst directed at him.
The unfortunate reality is the picture was topical and reasonable commentary based on the redacted Brereton Report. I'm certainly not offended.
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
ScoMo going off half-cocked again. No one cares if you find imagery offensive.
LOL. Fucking snowflake
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
Surely Australia can do better than this happy clapping clown from marketing?
Isn't he only in this position because a bunch of people have been knifed on his way to both Parliament and leadership?
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
What I see from Morrison is an attempt to play to the Daily Telegraph crowd as he perceives them.
Bingo. This is pure marketing from Morrison in the echo chamber he knows best.
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
@barbarian said in Aussie Politics:
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
If the Prime Minister was more statesmanlike, he'd have pointed out we're above getting our knickers in a twist about fake pictures. We don't get hysterical unlike some. That it's a rather pathetic attempt at old propaganda. And that unlike some jurisdications, we've at least instituted an investigation into our own. That both nations benefit from constructive dialogue and trade and this from some politician seeking notoriety doesn't help and he'd be seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador.
Instead it's still blowing up, given air.
I'd also point out in the environment of Rudd's petition and the News Media Bargaining Code, Twitter's hypocrisy and selectiveness is on the nose.
But we've tried statesmanlike. We've tried constructive dialogue. We've tried seeking an explanation from the ambassador.
None of Morrison's press conference I saw was statesmanlike, nor constructive. Perhaps those bits remain on the cutting room floor.
That was my point. We've been statesmanlike in the past, plenty of times, but where has it led us?
It fell to Marisa Payne to explain we'd called in the ambassador for an apology. What I see from Morrison is an attempt to play to the Daily Telegraph crowd as he perceives them. A strategy thwart with danger given they apparently turned on him over the bushfires - ironically for something I don't think merited the angst directed at him.
I think he's playing to Australians rather than China, but again I can't see the issue. A bland diplomatic 'statemanlike' statement would have delivered an outcome of precisely zero. This may well deliver zero as well, but at very least he can portray strength to his own people.
The unfortunate reality is the picture was topical and reasonable commentary based on the redacted Brereton Report. I'm certainly not offended.
But coming from a state agent? Really? Is that acceptable today? If a Morrison Government minister tweeted a fake image of Uighurs being massacred would you describe it as 'reasonable commentary'?
You can't on one hand castigate Morrison for not being 'statesmanlike' while at the same time calling the picture 'topical and reasonable commentary'.
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@barbarian said in Aussie Politics:
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
@barbarian said in Aussie Politics:
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
If the Prime Minister was more statesmanlike, he'd have pointed out we're above getting our knickers in a twist about fake pictures. We don't get hysterical unlike some. That it's a rather pathetic attempt at old propaganda. And that unlike some jurisdications, we've at least instituted an investigation into our own. That both nations benefit from constructive dialogue and trade and this from some politician seeking notoriety doesn't help and he'd be seeking an explanation from the Chinese ambassador.
Instead it's still blowing up, given air.
I'd also point out in the environment of Rudd's petition and the News Media Bargaining Code, Twitter's hypocrisy and selectiveness is on the nose.
But we've tried statesmanlike. We've tried constructive dialogue. We've tried seeking an explanation from the ambassador.
None of Morrison's press conference I saw was statesmanlike, nor constructive. Perhaps those bits remain on the cutting room floor.
That was my point. We've been statesmanlike in the past, plenty of times, but where has it led us?
What's statesmanlike calling for an investigation into the Wuflu? Where's the national benefit in doing so? Especially for such a hypersensitive bully as the CCP?
It fell to Marisa Payne to explain we'd called in the ambassador for an apology. What I see from Morrison is an attempt to play to the Daily Telegraph crowd as he perceives them. A strategy thwart with danger given they apparently turned on him over the bushfires - ironically for something I don't think merited the angst directed at him.
I think he's playing to Australians rather than China, but again I can't see the issue. A bland diplomatic 'statemanlike' statement would have delivered an outcome of precisely zero. This may well deliver zero as well, but at very least he can portray strength to his own people.
It doesn't portray strength to me. He comes across as a whiny bitch when he could've treated the picture with contemptuous disregard privately noting that we actually have a glass chin on this one. It points out exactly what the Brereton Report makes clear.
The unfortunate reality is the picture was topical and reasonable commentary based on the redacted Brereton Report. I'm certainly not offended.
But coming from a state agent? Really? Is that acceptable today? If a Morrison Government minister tweeted a fake image of Uighurs being massacred would you describe it as 'reasonable commentary'?
Acceptable has nothing to do with it. The messaging around politicians and State media can make the same point delivered in an entirely different manner.
You can't on one hand castigate Morrison for not being 'statesmanlike' while at the same time calling the picture 'topical and reasonable commentary'.
Of course I can.
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@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
It doesn't portray strength to me. He comes across as a whiny bitch when he could've treated the picture with contemptuous disregard privately noting that we actually have a glass chin on this one. It points out exactly what the Brereton Report makes clear.
OK, but I'd wager in a poll the vast majority of Australians would support his actions on this.
Either way it seems we can agree to disagree.
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It's abundantly clear to me that Morrison doesn't play chess. Or if he does, he'd get flogged by any eight year old in school chess club. He has failed to demonstrate a capacity for strategic thought, making timely, considered decisions with a clear end game in sight. He and his advisers are unsuited to the highest (elected) office in the land.
Why antagonise China about covid-19? Would it secure their cooperation in an investigation? Would it lead to better dialogue? Would they purchase more of our good and services? Or would it just temporarily shore up a few domestic votes? That's not leadership.
Same same for Hong Kong etc. Do you thin that would secure the agreement between the UK and China? That democracy would flourish? Human rights abuses etc?
It seems no one is pointing out to Morrison that if there's no benefit to a move, perhaps it would be wise not to make it. Much like a good lawyer - you don't ask questions you don't know the answer to.
Sun Tzu: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
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@antipodean
What do you propose he do with China? -
@antipodean said in Aussie Politics:
It's abundantly clear to me that Morrison doesn't play chess. Or if he does, he'd get flogged by any eight year old in school chess club. He has failed to demonstrate a capacity for strategic thought, making timely, considered decisions with a clear end game in sight. He and his advisers are unsuited to the highest (elected) office in the land.
Why antagonise China about covid-19? Would it secure their cooperation in an investigation? Would it lead to better dialogue? Would they purchase more of our good and services? Or would it just temporarily shore up a few domestic votes? That's not leadership.
Same same for Hong Kong etc. Do you thin that would secure the agreement between the UK and China? That democracy would flourish? Human rights abuses etc?
It seems no one is pointing out to Morrison that if there's no benefit to a move, perhaps it would be wise not to make it. Much like a good lawyer - you don't ask questions you don't know the answer to.
Sun Tzu: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
100%.
What the hell was in this for Australia besides virtue signaling?
Canada took a Huawei executive into custody and isn't facing as sustained and severe retaliation. Australia was able to navigate the foreign interference laws and made the Huawei decision under Turnbull and managed to maintain better relations.
You have to give Morrison credit for pulling out that last election, but even on an purely cynical political basis escalating trade sanctions are going to disproportionately effect the two most politically volatile and parochial states in the country Queensland and WA. It is impossible for the coalition to win if they drop even a couple of seats in those states.
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