"I believe it was actually Harold Macmillan who said that."

Yeah, well there's some doubt and dispute. Which is why I wrote Churchill (maybe).

Who said what is probably unimportant to the subject. Whatever foreign PM, dead and gone, said is no help to the China/Australia relationship.

ttbn,

Not idiotic enough to vote for One Nation like on forum idiot. These people who live in the 19th century like SOME old farts, they think the way to treat China is with the tried and true, "Gun Boat Mentality", got news for you, that might have worked in 1824 but not in 2024. What's the relevance of the General Elphinstone story, other that being boring it's no relevance what so ever, just living in the past are we.

Australian vessels sailing through international waters isn't even close to Gunboat Diplomacy. Paul again reveals his historic ignorance.

Yes, they are international waters. Just because China says they belong to them doesn't make it so although an old Trotsky-ite like Paul will always adhere to whatever the CCP says - no thought required.

OTOH, we just have to assume that the childish practices of the Chinese via a vis those vessels in international waters simply reflects their innate inferiority complex which manifests in these silly displays. Its good that we be the adults here and treat the Chinese like we'd treat a child throwing a tantrum. There's no value in reacting or over-reacting. Just let it through to the keeper.

"Paul again reveals his historic ignorance" (mhaze)

Why stop at ignorance of history; he is just ignorant, period.

For years, all he has done is try to put people down, and all he has done is make a fool of himself.

He is the original wankerfromBoolammakanker.

Hi Paul,

I didn't know you're a Trotsky-ite?

However, if you are, you're in good company.
Apparently Peter Hitchens was once a godless Trotskyist.
Perhaps lefties turn right in old age?

Now to be serious. SBS News tells us that:

Regarding China's behaviour in the South China Sea.

One of the messages coming out of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on its final day,
hosted by PM Antony Albanese in Melbourne was:

"We stand for a region where differences are
managed through respectful dialogue not the
threat or use of force." the
leaders said in a joint statement.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated in an interview:

"Rather than thinking about what might or might not happen,
we should focus on what we want to protect, what we want to
ensure in order to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity."

The Prime Minister stressed that:

"I am concerned and Australia is concerned about any unsafe
and destabilizing behaviour in the South China Sea. It is
dangerous and it creates risks of miscalculations, which can
then lead to escalation."

It was therefore for that reason that the ASEAN leaders issued
their joint statements regarding the benefits of having the
South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity.

"We encourage all countries to avoid any unilateral actions
that endanger peace and security in the region."

"Southeast Asian countries WILL stand together with Australia
against Chinese influence and aggression."