Dear Gibo,

It would be unwise to ignore a country with a population of 1.3 billion.

Peace and development should be the dominant theme of our times.

China is a big developing country. Despite China's tremenduous economic achievements, with a population of 1.3 billion, the GDP per capita is still one twenty-fifth of the United States and Australia, ranked below No.140 in the world and the economy total only accounted 4% of the world.

China's development and rise is going to be a long and arduous journey. She has no material basis and subjective intention of seeking hegemony and expansion.

China pursues a peaceful diplomatic policy. That should be encouraged.
And only by maintaining relations with her - can something be achieved
towards bettering their human rights record.

Also we now have a new Government - whose approach to foreign policy is based on 3 fundamental pillars:

1) Membership of the United Nations.
2) Alliance with the United States.
3) Policy of comprehensive engagement in Asia.

The Labor Party has always believed that Australia's economic, political and strategic future was intimately tied up with the future of our own region.

And it was for these reasons that successive Australian Labor Governments have sought to develop the best possible bilateral political relationships with Regional Countries, as well as
developing multi-lateral Regional relationships through APEC, aimed at Regional trade liberalisation, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),
which is aimed at creating a Regional Security Dialogue across the essentially different countries of the Region.

For Australia, China is at the core of the Government's policy of
comprehensive Regional engagement. Having a Prime Minister who is fluent in Mandarin also helps.

I wounder arjay if you think we are down on our knees in relationships with China?
Would you ignore them?
Rudd has by his ability to talk to them, the chance to tell China of our concerns.
We once did not even have that.
I question some fundamentalist Christians view China is their enemy in the battle of Armageddon, not so long ago it was said to be Russia!
Some may well think closer to the battle Field.
Just maybe a Christian can tell my this.
Why did your God who made every thing make half the world to be so that he would have to destroy it?
Strange but very true BOAZ DAVIDS last post was 100% true we however do not all see our own faults as easy as we see others.
Free Tibet yes by all means but turn our backs on China? no thanks.

My understanding Belly is that at Armageddon they come from the north and they come from the east.
You can do a study on the kings of the east and you will see China moving out across asia, the Euphrates River and onto Armagedon (Revelation 9:16 and 16:12). 200 million soldiers killing a third of mankind.
If only you folks knew the Bible you might understand why so many are to die.
Theres a huge spirit war going on between God and satan (used to be called Lucifer).
Those that follow satan will perish.
This is why "half" of mankind is going to die in the endtimes .
God provided a Saviour in Jesus Christ, His Blood covering the sin of all who come to Him to be saved (Romans 10:13). There are only two camps you can be in. Gods or the other guys evil camp.
There is no third area for men...and they dont stand independent of the war.
One camp of the other the Holy Bible says.
Turn to Jesus and be saved.

Cant agree Foxy that Chinas growth is going to be long.
Part of Revelation speaks about a great world leader with a mark on either the right hand or forehead for everyone (Revelation 13:16-18 and 14:9-11).
They have the mark now as a microchip and in certain places they are micro chipping folk.
Soon the worlds last dictator will appear and the endimes will switch on.
Sorry about that. Its a shock to many hardened christians as well.
All the christians have to do to please The Lord is NOT! take the mark/chip. The last seven years are not far off at all.
I reckon The Lord could come for His believers anytime soon (the rapture). Quielty...the committed christians watch it all unfold.

Gibo you have a right to your belief however must you divert every thread back to your primitive belief in God?
It kills threads and unless I am wrong breaks rule one do not divert threads.
We seem unable to talk politics without such diversions, now yes many of us are Christian, some maybe the five minute conversion kind who become followers when in trouble.
But just maybe our international relationships with other country's should be driven by rational debate and needs not any one of the host of Gods man has manufactured.
And as each God is said to be the only one by those who follow why are they used to keep man apart not unite them?

Oh Belly where have you been living.
Right before your eyes Gods Great Plan for earth unfolds.
We can see it in the great increase in wars, earthquakes, famines diseases (check out signs that we are in the endtimes).
We see it in the rise of the antichrist and his microchip on the right hand or forehead (check out mark of the beast microchip). We see it in the great increase in crime and violence (2 Timothy 3).
You have to get used to it son.
You and I and everyone else are going to live that endtimes period in history ...unless you belong to Jesus first... and He comes for His people early in (the Rapture).
You cant stop christians from talking about what they know.
Adapt your life plans, jump on board with the born againers (give your life to Jesus today ) and reach out and find a lively christian church... one that really jumps for Jesus and find peace.
You non-believers are like a people standing on a beach with a huge tidal wave of events rising in front of them.
You wont resist God in the end. Youve got to join Him and Jesus, His Saviour for all mankind.