From the Quad to Aukus, Australia has supported America’s China-containment policy and made itself a surrogate target. This gives it leverage – if it wants to use it.

Signing on to a confrontational and provocative strategy to contain China exposes Australians to greater economic and security dangers – and reflects a further loss of independence for Australia.

Australian governments have inflicted mental and physical harm on asylum seekers and Indigenous Australians, supported Israel in its treatment of Palestinians and lagged in the fight against climate change.

With anti-Asian abuse and harassment on the rise, Australia should stamp out racial abuse and its media should take a more nuanced approach to China.