06-08-2022, 05:42 AM
Which is why we should use diplomacy to build alliances in our neighbourhood. That’s where diplomacy counts. No one suggests we can bend the Chinese to our will simply by diplomacy in a one-on-one setting. But rattling the sabres in the media won’t force the Chinese to back down either. However, rattling the sabres risks making Australia a dangerous ally to have and forces our neighbours into a binary choice: should we gravitate towards China or Australia. We can be firm but quietly spoken and that will win us more friends in our backyard. Let China be belligerent as that will drive our neighbours towards us.