Hi Chris

China's overwhelming-rising military power, matched with beneficial economic growth catches most countries in the Indo-Pacific (eg. Australia) in a quandry.

That is, would a strategy of teeming together in a military containment alliance against China merely heighten tension for no solid military advantage and perhaps forgo economic benefits.

In the past the NATO alliance against the Russians was easier to achieve because the Russians/Warsaw Pact could not offer high economic growth for the region/world.

Even India has benefitted significantly from being a trading partner with China while still bordering and skirmishing with China. Worst fighting in 1962 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War

While the US military pushes naval http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_navigation FONOPs operations near Chinese South China Sea islands, Australia has rejected such operations.

Australia distrusts whether the US will continue to lead alliances against China in the Long Term. The US instead prioritising trade with China and coexistence with China "Findlandising" our region http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finlandization

There is always the concept of where does Australia Appeasing China begin?

Australia should never begin appeasing the CCP.

If they do, it is all over, red rover, for humanity.

Chris Lewis,

Don't say that, we still have Mr Opion's 10 point plan:

1. Permit Huawei to operate unrestricted in Australia.
2. Rescind proposed federal legislation aimed at preventing Victoria and WA from signing up to China's Belt & Road Initiative.
3. Allow the Chinese to have unrestricted purchase rights to Australian industries and natural resources.
4. Ban Australian media from saying anything derogatory about China's strategic policies.
5. Withdraw Australian military from exercises in the South China Sea.
6. Rescind any alliances Australia has with the US and Japan.
7. Cease commenting on Chinese ambitions for Hong Kong and Taiwan becoming unified with the PRC.
8. Permit free migration for tens of millions of Chinese to Australia and allow them access to Australian business and property markets at a 50% discount.
9. Elevate former(?) affiliate of the CCP Gladys Liu to the position of Leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Australia.
10. Make Soot and the Boys crawl naked on their hands and knees to Emperor Xi and kiss his feet and plead for his forgiveness.

We'll be back in Xi's good book before you know it and bringing in millions of cashed up Chinese before you can "Sooty's off to Hawaii."

Yes, MR O is one amusing contributor