nice, feel good piece about opportunities from China for Australia.

You state

'The Strategic Dialogue established in April 2013 should utilise interested parties in qualified professions, such as universities and businesses. This will help create broader engagement with the Australian public and will tap into the China expertise which has grown significantly in recent years'.

Hopefully we can also produce stuff that show the degree that authoritarian China is learning from our (Western) experience, me think.

"One of the most important facets of Australian strategic relations with China is to reassure them that our relationship with the United States is not threatening."

Unless Australia dramatically changes it pawn-like, subservient posture regarding the Imperial U.A. we will be seen as a serious threat to China.

The Chinese are not stupid unlike the people who think they are! The Chinese have outlived many civilizations and have runs on the board unlike a certain Johnny come lately who is going bankrupt!

no, they are not stupid, just ruled by an authoritarian system with less sympathy for individualism or dissent.

I suppose some like that sort of system, but they are hardly supporters of democracy are they?

Why do we think China has to be a multi-party democracy just like us?
They have over the last 2,500 years learned that with a strong central government, their country holds together. Without a strong central government, their country fractures into warring states and marching armies. Such a fracturing would not be in their interest, and nor would it in ours. Believe it.
In a recent news article, or perhaps it was a post on OLO, someone made the point that the Confucian classics are learned by school children in all the countries just to our north. The thinking in those then informs their future ministers and heads of state. If we really want to understand China and enter into a meaningful dialogue with those holding power there, it would be to our advantage to read those classics.
As hard as it will be for some to countenance, it may be time to start learning and to stop trying to tell your grandmother how to suck eggs.

fair enough, it doesn't have to be.

And, also we should learn from the positive aspects of any society.

But, I would like to think our first preference is for also defending our own cultural strengths, even allowing for greater interaction with china.

What is necessary? A free trade agreement, and people who can talk to each other, in a common language. And with that common language, build a far better relationship.
Not talking, is never a way to resolve any perceived difference.
And we need to rediscover the lost art of diplomacy, or the art of telling convincing white lies?
Like no, at no time has Australia spied on Jakarta or the Indonesian govt.
Where is Dr no when you really need him?
We have however, been monitoring several terrorist organizations, who also have Jakarta, Bangkok, Peking in their sights, as possible terror targets?
Naturally, we will continue to share such information,regarding these various cells, as it comes to hand.
We do not spy on known and trusted friends, never have, never will!
Whether true or not, it needs to be said, at the highest possible level; and, remain our official policy.
Particularly, if we would conclude any free trade agreement, with any Asian, country!
We need to ensure, they continue to save face, in their own domestic arena!
Rhrosty.