Mr O, it is time to you write an article for OLO.

Chris & Foxy,

Unfortunately I cannot see any way out of it.

I think Australia will be become part of a Chinese empire that stretches from Mongolia to the southern tip of New Zealand.

China needs land for its people and resources for its industries. The very same things that Hitler offered his people. The difference is where Hitler failed Xi will succeed.

Foxy, yes China is reliant on us for coal, gas and iron ore: all the things it needs to build the tanks, frigates, fighter jets needed to bring Australia into its empire.

MR O,

there would be a third world war before that happens

As if the West would allow one of its own to be taken by China.

Mr O,

You say that you see Australia becoming part of the
Chinese Empire?

What I see is Australia having closer co-ordination with
other Indo-Pacific partners. India, Japan,
Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam,
and of course the US.

I see Australia restricting foreign investment, shifting
manufacturing capabilities away from mainland China.

While China certainly has the powers to coerce. It also has a
tremendous capacity to be its own worst enemy by pushing
too hard on its neighbours.

Asian leaders and Australia will continue pursuing new forms
of co-ordination with each other. Australia has already
signed treaties with countries like India.

We have a chance to build more equal and capable regional
partnerships and institutions in the long road to recovery
ahead - this will challenge and complicate the views of those
in Beijing. But Australia will do what's
best for its nation.

And if those don't learn to compromise. They risk being
left behind.

Australia will come out ahead.

Chris,

When it comes to the crunch the other nations will put their interests before our interests.

Didn't the rest of Europe turn a blind eye to Hitler when he militarised the Rhineland and took control of Austria and Sudetenland in order to avoid a war with Germany?

The last thing Europe and the US will want is a war with China.

Don't agree Mr O.

The West will rise to protect western nations.

That is what I believe. And that is what I want to believe.