Albanese told an interviewer that he had “fixed” the relationship with China “through diplomacy”. What a naive ninny - or perhaps he's in deeper with the Communists than we thought. He is always making excuses for them. His non-reaction to their naval action around our coast would certainly make Xi think he has “handsome boy” where he wants him. He has already opined that all Western leaders should be like his mate Albo.

Albanese's comparison with the allies’ demonstration of their right of passage in the South China Sea, which China illegally claims as its own, is absolute crap.

Some posters don't seem to realise that China claims the South China Sea to be their territorial waters.
So they consider our vessels to be in their waters.
In ancient times all countries and seas were Vassal States and paid
tribute to Peking.
They expect the same now, it is just the area has expanded to cover the whole world.
That is probably why they did not notify by diplomatic channels that they would conduct firing exercises, just to make the point.

Hi AC,

China with its live fire exercises in international waters near Australia was sending a clear message to Canberra from Beijing; "Australia don't try and mess with us militarily, we are far more powerful than you, and we will make you look stupide" and they did. The sailing of the 'Toowoomba' in a provocative move through the Taiwan Strait, no doubt at the American behest, was a silly belligerent move on our part, something we are powerless to back up.

The old saber rattlers on the forum, like their folk hero Dutton, believe if Australia just spends a little bit more on militarism, say 3% of GDP, rather than 2%, all will be fine. These clowns are kidding themselves! If we spent 30% it wouldn't make a scrap of difference. Militarism wont work for us, diplomacy is the only weapon we have, and we wont have that, if we keep acting as an American lap dog.

Dear Paul,

«diplomacy is the only weapon we have»

That wouldn't work either.

The fact is, we have no weapons.

Switzerland was not invaded by the Nazis because they had high mountain passes and well-armed people trained to blow the bridges and defend them - not because they were good diplomats.

Tibet had just the same as Switzerland, but corrupt officials within betrayed it and opened up these mountain passes for the Chinese army to enter.

Relatively-flat Australia is easy to enter and easy to dig.
We don't even have a tunnel system like in Gaza, which is also flat, nor the willingness to survive under with little oxygen and water and carry a guerrilla war from there under our destroyed homes. Actually unlike Gaza, we don't even have enough donkeys as transportation-alternative once our fuel has run out.

We wanted to help saving Taiwan, not because of America but because we truly care about its people and their freedom. This is obviously no longer possible, now that America under Trump left the rest of the world to its own devices. At least we should now accept the Taiwanese people as refugees, then pray.

Hi Yuyutsu,

What you say is partially true, however;

More likely the fact was, Switzerland was useful to the Nazi's as a neutral country for diplomatic reasons, a conduit for espionage, and facilitating Nazi business and commerce.

I believe the Taiwanese people are entitled to self determination, and not to the dictates of China or America. Unfortunately that is now impossible as both sides use Taiwan as a pawn in a game of power and dominance.

Baz,

It's more than "some" who are not aware of China’s claim that the South China Sea is theirs, in contradiction to international law. Of course, China ignores international law completely, as it ignores the WTO rules on international trade.

In the meantime, Albanese, brushing off or ignoring China's trade bullying, and its recent military bullying, says that he actually wants to risk military personnel in Ukrainian because Australia always "stands up to bullies"! What a wicked, hypocrite the man is. He has never stood up to the Communist bully, Xi. The only bully who is a threat to Australia. Albanese is an unhinged suck up to the greatest bully in the world.