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Monday, 5 October 2020

Jacinda Ardern’s Labour government walks fine line on China ties

Jacinda Ardern’s Labour government walks fine line on China ties
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3104001/new-zealand-votes-jacinda-arderns-labour-government-walks-fine

I have written often about Scott Morrison’s behaviour is unrefined and undiplomatic, and no better than a bully in a school yard. The linked article reflects everything I said how Australia led by Morrison and his gang of three may involve Australia in not only trade wars, but also head-on military clashes with the most powerful neighbour China. In the coming months when international borders are open in many countries, as I have written repeatedly that New Zealand will benefit from exponential export growth in international trade in education, tourism, dairy, vegetable and meat.

What will Australia going to do if our nearest neighbour New Zealand forms a greater bond with China? Is Australia going to start a verbal combat with New Zealand, or propaganda will fly encouraging Australians to be suspicious of our neighbour?

Iron ore export has declined in recent years, but I doubt the decline will not go further for the time being until the pandemic is over. The credit should go to mining magnate Twiggy Andrew Forrest of Western Australia who has developed close relationship with China. Forrest used his contacts to source 10 million coronavirus testing kits from China, initially thought Long Zhou was an employee of Fortescue.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/with-friends-like-twiggy-forrest-20200501-p54ovz

Further to that, Forrest might have his own commercial interests in mind when he invited Victoria Council-General to “gatecrash” Health Minister Greg Hunt’s press conference, demonstrates his great strategic skill in softening the harsh line taken by the government, and according some senior ministers this offered an “olive branch” to reduce the tension between Australia and China.

It is very sad that most marketing people tend to think of competitors as enemies, and must be exterminated. When the strongest competitor is gone, this gives the smaller, weaker and oppressed ones to rise up.

Politically, Morrison and his members, are rather politically immature. Are the PM’s advisers giving him such uncompromising advice, or the approach he adopts is all his?

Thank you for reading.