My view:

It's beyond urgent, Australia stops taking Chinese immigrants and begins to clamp down on family reunions.

Australia should also abandon Hong Kong to its own fate. It was always to be a lost cause, and we can only lose by fooling ourselves into believing otherwise.

Another reality, or nettle to be grasped, is our reliance on US military support in our region.
We should assume this will not happen, and form alliances based on that conclusion.

If we don't accept that particular bitter reality, we lose precious time if an emergency should arise from Chinese aggression aimed at us.

Dan

Chris. I sorry but can't is spelled, can't! Not can!
Alan B.

Dear Alan,

«I sorry but can't is spelled, can't! Not can!»

Only time will tell, but try we must!

Chris's article talks of Europe but (under Russian guidance?) Trump seems to be doing his utmost to disrupt the US-European eco-political and military alliance.

The personality and moves of Trump have aggravated the disputes between the US and Europe. Noticeably, such discords have been there for a long time. But Trump has to some extent poured gas on fire.

From a broader picture of international development, the US has targeted not only China, but also the EU in areas such as regional security and trade. This has driven the EU gradually apart from the US in terms of policymaking.

The EU nowadays has realized it has plenty of serious differences with the US when it comes to many issues. These include climate change, free trade, environmental protection, the Iran issue, whether to uphold multilateralism, and the fight against COVID-19.

The US announced on May 29 to withdraw from the World Health Organization, while China and the EU have maintained a high degree of consistency on supporting the WHO to play a critical role in the pandemic fight.

In the post-Merkel era in Europe, there seems to be a shift in the EU's strategic decisions. That is to say, the bloc is likely to no longer view China as a systematic rival. It's reported that the EU will prepare a new strategy document on China.

The core of the EU's diplomatic strategy is picking no sides and seeking independent diplomatic status and interests within the international political system. Even if US presidents in the future manage to fix bilateral ties with Europe, the bloc is unlikely to change its neutral and rational manners of politics and economics.

The contradictions between the EU and the US in terms of global politics and economics are crystal clear. Take NATO and free trade. Washington believes it has done too much but gained too little. There are systematic disputes in bilateral ties. This cannot and will not be changed no matter who the US president is. Besides, the disputes will probably continue simmering.