Canberra risks more by crossing China

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/atimes/China/CHIN-01-161213.html



Canberra risks more by crossing China
By Brendan O'Reilly
Dec 16, '13

All is not well in the relationship between Australia and its largest trading partner. Canberra's long-standing political alliances are beginning to contradict its commercial interests, as tensions mount in the East China Sea and China's economy continues its strong expansion, albeit at what might be its slowest rate in 23 years.

Beijing has been accused in the past of using economic leverage to further its geopolitical goals. [1] China's leaders could use this strategy again if they feel sufficiently aggravated by perceived Australian interference in China's territorial disputes.

Australia and the United States were the only countries outside of China's immediate periphery to openly condemn Beijing's recently announced East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ADIZ covers the airspace over the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands, which are claimed by China but administered by Japan.

Following Beijing's establishment of the ADIZ, Canberra summoned China's ambassador to lodge a complaint. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop denounced the Chinese move, saying "the timing and the manner of China's announcement are unhelpful in light of current regional tensions, and will not contribute to regional stability ... Australia has made clear its opposition to any coercive or unilateral actions to change the status quo in the East China Sea." [2]