and what is even more laughable is that China would never have prospered without the help of the US through freer trade.

That concept is alien to authoritarian China which shows no sign of liberalising its economy in the same way that western countries have.

anyway, we can have our opinions, but China is rightfully being opposed by more and more nations.

End of story really.

jimmy2shoes,

I didn't say "sold all its gas to China,

I said "sold its entire natural gas reserves to China".

There is still gas but it is not part of our gas reserves: that natural gas which can be economically extracted.

Semantics you say; the gas reserves are gone to China I say.

Dear Chris,

Over two centuries ago, Napoleon commented that
China was "a sleeping giant, and when she wakes
she will shake the world".

Much the same could be said today.

China has well over a billion inhabitants - over
a fifth of all humanity - it's the most populous
society on earth.

And of course the West is not dealing with 1.3 billion
Chinese citizens and human beings. The country is run
by the Chinese Communist Party which controls almost
every facet of life for everyone there.

So yes, Australia has to look after its own interests
and watch its step in what it does for the good of the
nation. We have to adhere to our own values. But that
also applies to our dealings with other countries as well.
We need to weigh up what's in our interests and what is
not.

I think that China is pragmatic, lavishly praising
communist ideals but much more interested in immediate
results. It seems to be embarked on the path to
industrialization and modernization. However it is still
determinedly authoritarian.

It will be interesting to see how far the country will
stray from the socialist path and whether economic
liberalization will in turn lead to political
democratization.

Given China's size and potential, its economic future will
be of world-historical significance.

Mr O,

Your personal attacks are quite concerning.

Any you're coming across not as a good debater but as
a narrow-minded person who's not interested in discussion
but is looking for a fight and arguments.

I'm most surprised. I expected more from you considering
your proclaimed educated background.

Try again. Minus the insults.

Mr O,

BTW: Bronwyn is not Chinese. I've known Bronwyn for
a long time.

And as far as being in the pay of the Chinese?
That borders on extremism - fanaticism.

I'd never have picked you for that.

Foxy,

If you think things are getting a bit out of hand here then just take a look at the level it has now reached in the US with this news item form today's al jazeera:

http://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/cold-war-china-trade-dispute-deepening-200629020234625.html

And this is the sort of situation that might just put Trump back in the White House for another term.

I think your friend Bronwyn has a vested interest in the Chinese, along with LOUDmouth and Shadow Minister.

Sorry, Foxy, I cannot share your optimism about authoritarian China.

neither do the people of Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, for a start.

Tell them why they should be optimistic about China.