Hello Belly, I'm wondering why your question is "But at what cost?" rather than something like "But at what benefit?". It seems to me you're making an assumption and I think the question is based on a false premise. Trading successfully with China does not mean there has to be a "cost". A better question would be "But at what cost, or benefit?" From the way you phrase your first post it seems to me you've already taken a stance, before debate has started, that we will pay a cost for trading with China. You mention China's intervention in Aussie cultural activities, spying and support of a corrupt junta. Gee belly, are you saying that the USA doesn't impact our culture, doesn't spy and has never supported a corrupt junta? We're pretty much slaves to USA culture in this country, but I don't think we'll be slaves to Chinese culture, so you can relax Belly. We'll trade with China, and the trade will only get bigger and bigger but we won't become a nation of Chinamen and Chinawomen. You can relax now Belly, and I hope you get a good night's sleep. There will be no "cost" resulting from our trading with China.

I think that were we not to trade with China
this would have a huge effect on our economy.
China has to be our largest trading partner -
buying in the billions of dollars in exports
from us annually, including commodities such
as coal and iron ore.

As Treasurer Wayne Swan confirms, "Flagging
demand for resources from the Asian Powerhouse
would have a significant impact on Australia's
600 billion dollar economy."

As newspaper editorials point out, "The impact of
the global slowdown is already being felt in
Australia with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto recently
announcing they will slash thousands of jobs due to
falling commodity prices."

Australia needs to maintain good relations with China,
and of course China needs our exports, especially coal
and iron ore. It's beneficial to both countries to
maintain good relations.

i recently observed a flight of some 270 chinese
deplaning and noticed all the women who comprised half
the passengers were wearing trousers.
i questioned a tour guide who explained trousers were
recommended for travel.
i suspect chinese women would support an equal rights republic.

MaryE that was a very shallow comment.
It appears like so very many you come here to be seen.
Not to see.
My posts here clearly highlight faults .
Past and present, with us, America, England .
Other country's too in regard to Chinas history.
Whistler, unsure why I bother.
Your world seems focused only on females.
To the extent you are blind to reality and any other issues.
You, MaryE, me, other posts of late have given me an idea, for a thread, lets See if it works.
Foxy my level headed friend you are quite right , not to trade with China would hurt us, yet we can never sell our nations right to say what we think for trade.
This mornings read of on line news papers saw me find Andrew Peacock left is job as Foreign Minister after we recognized the Pol Pot regime under pressure from China, the Australian, this morning.
So governments ,all sides ,do trade using our country's good name because of trade.

Hello Belly, my post was based on the fact that your initial query regarding China "But at what cost?" is based on a flase premise. You replied with personal insults. So be it. I'll stay on topic however.

There doesn't have to be any "cost" for trading with China. We can maintain 100% of our sovreignity whilst doing a rip roaring trade with China. We can maintain 100% of our overall identity whilst taking advantage of trade with China. Thank you Belly.

So where can I buy "made in Australia?" China needs to "be very careful" in what they export. One is tired of stoves conking out, clothes and house linen going shabby after one wash, people dying from purchasing divans which outgas lethal chemicals, babies becoming ill from milk formulas, the hides of animals, subjected to to the most egregious slaughter, "fresh" produce unfit for human consumption etc.

Why have we become a throw away society and pushovers for Chinese junk? Doesn't quality count anymore?

Ah.... stop ya sookin' Proto - "It's the economy stoopid!"