Letters | Why Australia should think twice before rattling sabres over Taiwan
- A US-China war over Taiwan would be devastating, with no winners, not even Australia, which has profited inordinately from China’s rise
Where is the public or parliamentary debate in Australia about political leaders potentially engaging the nation in another conflict that follows the US into battle? At present, the prime minister and cabinet get to decide whether to commit defence personnel abroad. Federal parliament has no say in Australia’s involvement in overseas military conflicts.
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Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo
Australia has profited inordinately from the long-term development of China into a global superpower. We have readily supplied the resources to help build China’s economy and defence capability, as well as educate its citizens. Australia has prospered from the rivers of gold that flow from its trade with China. Chinese export dollars fund our governments, hospitals, schools and infrastructure.
Trade between Australia and China was a whopping A$251.1 billion (US$182 billion) for the 2019-20 financial year, making up 28.8 per cent of total two-way trade, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The US was our second most important two-way trading partner at A$80.8 billion (9.2 per cent). Australia’s exports to China in 2019-20 totalled A$167.6 billion (35.3 per cent) compared to imports of A$83.4 billion (21 per cent).
Dr Michael Walton, clinical psychologist, New South Wales