Australian foreign minister, Alexander Downer, has made moves towards a dramatic policy shift towards Beijing, declaring the ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand, and United States) treaty as ‘symbolic’
After talks with Key Chinese leaders, a strategic relationship between the Asian-Pacific nations looks to be on the cards.
After 50 years of close ties with the United States, I can only see the US-Australian relationship deteriorating should Australia collaborate with the Chinese economic powerhouse. The main issue at hand is the independence of Taiwan, with the United States recognising the nation as a sovereign entity separate to China, and of course, China’s stance that Taiwan is not independent of the Beijing government.
Richard Armitage – the US deputy secretary of state, has twice indicated that the ANZUS relationship is more than symbolic, suggesting the treaty would be invoked if either US or Australia troops were taking casualties. The Australian stance on the treaty is that it is only to be invoked should our home territories come under attack. So, in short, if the Chinese were to attack Taiwan, The United States would expect the Australian armed forces to assist in the defence of Taiwan. Australian policy interpretation states otherwise. The treaty has been invoked on only one occasion – 9/11.
As a citizen of Australia, I believe it is within our national interests to recalibrate our relationship with our neighbours, as the perception of Australia in the region is that of an arrogant western country in the middle of Asia. For security and economic purposes, a Sino-Australian relationship would only be beneficial for both parties involved.
Should Taiwan have the audacity to make a move for independence, it would create dramatic turbulence in the region, and I would argue that it is completely unfair of the USA to expect the Australian defence forces to intervene on behalf of the Taiwanese movement and American foreign policy.
In an ideal world, the USA would not be to concerned with Australia’s diplomatic ties amid an Isolationist nation such as China, however, we know this is not an ideal world, and the Chinese and US secretly hate each other, and both are vying for the title of world superpower. The USA holds that title for the time being, however, in 20 years we will have a very different political climate, with China’s communist economic policies a shadow of the past.
Currently, 6% of Australia’s population was born in Asia, and that 6% does not include first and second generation Australian’s of Asian decent. As Australia slowly but surely removes itself from the ‘White Australia’ immigration policy, it is only a matter of time before Australia is recognised as a ‘Eurasian’ nation.
Hopefully, Taiwan, Australia, China and the United States don’t come to loggerheads, however, it is very interesting for us, as Australian’s, to see our staunchly pro-US government make this dramatic shift in policy, and it makes for an interesting political climate.
Watch this space…
BAM!!!