Reflecting its pursuit of regional hegemony, China is now harassing America’s second-closest ally, Australia.
Enter the editorial published on Wednesday by China’s Western-focus state media outlet, Global Times. The Global Times is essentially Beijing’s way of sending a message to foreign governments without putting the government’s explicit signature to it. This allows Beijing to be aggressive on paper while pretending to be polite in person. Of course, everyone knows it’s a big joke.
Anyway, the Global Times’ latest editorial calls on Beijing to “cool Sino-Australia ties” in response to “distorted reporting on behalf of Australian media and remarks made by Australian politicians on China’s alleged interference and infiltration in Australian internal affairs.'” This follows a meeting on Monday between Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, in which Wang thought he was extremely clever by glowering in the two ministers photo.
But why is China choosing now to lash out?
Well, for one, because of a recent declaration by Andrew Hastie, chairman of Parliament’s intelligence and security committee, that “in Australia, it is clear that the Chinese Communist Party is working to covertly interfere with our media, our universities, and also influence our political processes and public debates.” Hastie’s warning carries special weight because he formerly served with Australia’s Special Air Service regiment (Australia’s equivalent of Delta Force).
Still, the Global Times’ real gripe is that Australia has “created challenges for [China] on several topics, including the South China Sea.” It adds that, as a consequence, “it will not be necessary for the Australian Prime Minister to visit China this year. In fact, he could visit a few years later.”
I suggest that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull should get ahead of the Chinese and cancel the visit himself. But China’s laments aren’t so much about Turnbull as about increasing Australian support for U.S.-led efforts to preserve democratic international order and the free movement of goods throughout the Pacific Rim. China hates this support because it represents a multilateral alliance against Beijing’s aggressive island construction campaign.
How does China intend to pressure Australia into abandoning its current pro-U.S. stance?
By threatening to cut off Australian exports to China. The Global Times notes, “Last year, Australia exported $76.45 billion in goods to China. Lowering Aussie exports by $6.45 billion would send cold chills up and down the spine of Australia.” The Global Times arrogantly adds that because Australia has “limited strength and influence globally” it has few means of response.
And the newspaper even offers a play for how trade could be reduced: “China has promised to increase its imports from the U.S., according to the recently-concluded Sino-U.S. trade talks. It is reasonable to cut a few imports from Australia to implement the China-US trade agreement. It will benefit China anyway.”
I say President Trump should call China on that presumption and suspend trade negotiations until China commits not to penalize Australia. Doing so would play China at its own arrogant game and send a robust signal of commitment to our ally and to the region. Remember nations like Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and India are watching how the U.S. responds to escalating pressure from Beijing. If Trump blinks now it will be his quieter, but far more consequential, version of Obama’s red line implosion.
Time to get tweeting, Mr. President. Here’s one you can take for free. Write, “Sad to see China pressure Australia. Maybe my friend President Xi Jinping is not such a good friend after all! Oh Well. But don’t worry, @turnbullMalcolm, #AmericaStandsWithAustralia. Won’t commit to trade deal unless Australia is protected.” That would send the right message.
