o sung wu,

I think things might happen a lot earlier than 2040. I'm thinking within the next 10 years.

I think a massive surprise invasion of East Asia and SE Asia and Oceania (incl Australia). Very similar to what Japan did in 1941-42 but on a much bigger scale and for Australia I think part of the attack will come from within. How many agents and PLA operatives are already here disguised as engineers, bank tellers, etc.?

The only way we could possibly defend Australia from any major power today would be to have a massive nuclear deterrent in both cruise missiles & ICBMs. Anything else is just a joke, other than for local police duties.

We would have to be more costly to invade, than any residual value to be gained from taking the place. As it is, we would be doing a WW11 again, with brave under armed men giving their lives in an impossible effort.

Just as our under armed men fought in Malaya, Singapore, Rabaul, & the east indies, we could not even have much of a delaying effect today.

Suitably armed we make it easier & cheaper to spend a few dollars buying what we have, rather than taking the country & harvesting the minerals directly. Today when a smart guided bomb costs more than a WW11 Spitfire war gets expensive, even for the winner. If we are thoroughly prickly, with nuclear arms, the cost becomes not worth the result, & we would be left alone. Well that is unless drawn into a world war. I doubt any country is silly enough to believe they, or anyone could be a winner in one of those in the final outcome.

we should get nuclear weapons, rather than rely on the USA.

Mr O, did you not experience the US-Soviet nuclear standoff in 1960s.

Were you as concerned about the Soviets then, like u r the Chinese now

Hi there Mr OPINION, HASBEEN and CHRIS LEWIS...

You're all so very right. Unless and until, we embark upon a massive rearmament and refit programme for the entire ADF, including a formidable fleet of heavily armed warships, Aircraft Carriers, capable of launching nuclear missiles, and long-distance attack A/C. Supported by a flotilla of nuclear attack submarines...Well, this country and its population have a very minimal future ahead of it.

Diplomacy with the Chinese will fail. Look at GB with their determination for fifty years of peaceful existence with HKG. The Chinese have just snubbed them. And GB does have a formidable nuclear deterrent?

The Peoples Republic of China should be treated as you'd deal with all bullies, give the bastards a blood nose, just a little one, to let 'em know that we Aussies will not be intimidated and pushed around by anyone. But with a total strength of approximately 62,000 regulars, not all of them physically fit for operations, and about 16,000 reservists - We'd have trouble initially finding, mounting an attack, and occupying even a tiny place like Lord Howe Island, at this rate Gentlemen?

I'm buggered if I know?

yes, with an aggressive authoritaian CCP, it is surely better to be prepared.

I am quietly confident that the world will rise to the challenge.

The more aggressive the CCP is, the more serious the response will be.

And if that calls for nuclear weapons to be based here and abroad, so be it