China

[ElwoodBlues1]

Not sure why you think diplomacy is useless. Without it, we’re at the mercy of a much bigger military unless the US military will intervene. Using diplomacy to understand the opponent and convey our positions clearly is better than twiddling our thumbs. And it’s better than using bluster or megaphone diplomacy as Dutton and Co. loved to do.

Fortunately, we rely on Embassies staffed by experienced public servants rather than political friends and donors which is the US model. Having a PM & Foreign Minister who act in accordance with the best advice is much better than creating political dramas for domestic political advantage.

Not sure why you think China are interested in being diplomatic about anything? Convey our position and understand our opponent? You would have to be living under a rock on Mars not to know our position and understand how delicately balanced things are with our Chinese opponent(good choice of words, I like opponent) .
Begging to the Chinese to take their boot of our throat will only work if we give up something and I hope you dont mean selling Taiwan down the Yangtze river, ending our military agreements with the USA and then calling that a diplomatic solution....Bravo Penny and Albo.....if they chose that route.