Australia recently pushed for an investigation into COVID-19 and allowed Hong Kong citizens to obtain permanent residency. Both of which China strongly opposed. As retaliation they imposed tariffs on Australian imports, issued travel advisories telling students not to travel there and directly told the government to comply.
Now a country like Australia which is heavily dependent on China for trade and overseas students has in this case had to choose between ethics and economics. And China is doing the same thing with countries all around the world with smaller ones being forced to comply or risk severe economic harm.
And now China is actually decoupling. Shouldn’t Australia be happy that they’re getting what they want? Why did it suddenly turn into “China is bullying us with tariffs”?
As for Hong Kong, are you aware that most of the protesters are young people with poor backgrounds and without higher education? And that many protesters are not so peaceful, and rioted? Yet Australia announced the other day that they will only accept people without a criminal record, and only people who are highly skilled. What?? Is Australia genuine in wanting to help Hong Kong citizen?
Do you believe Australia’s push for COVID-19 is genuine? Yes China did make mistakes in the beginning, but for more than a month after the Wuhan lockdown, at which point countries outside China had almost no cases, various countries neglected to take action despite obvious warning signs. So if an investigation is to be initiated, it should not only be about China’s mistakes, but everybody else’s mistakes too. Why does Australia not talk about investigating everybody? Do you think Australia would accept a bidirectional investigation?
Is Australia really as innocent as you believe?
Does China have no right to disagree?
If you are my supplier, and I accuse you of various crimes (which may or may not be true), and as a result you stop supplying me, then are you shutting down my free speech? Do you have an obligation to keep doing business with me no matter what I say?
That is on the assumption of there is an accusation. Australia will simply be doing anything not in China's interest, that does not mean it oppose China nor accusing China or anything but China would immediately retaliate. Which in reality means if you are a major business partner to China you are ultimately controlled by China.
And you are right, no one has obligation to do business with anyone. And that is why some people has decided not to do business with China.
But given how Syria went, we know that given the option between bombing a place for some geopolitical aim, or taking Muslim refugees, the US would take the first option every time it presents itself.
That's because nine times out of ten, the humanitarian plight is the excuse for war, not the end to itself.
That also doesn't change the fact that long term, China is the biggest threat to liberal democracies. In terms of geopolitics, Russia is actually quite complementary to China due to its large area having an abundance of resources to feed Chinese factories and both countries being authoritarian governments.