China tells Australia to review its defence treaty with the US: report

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/136185/1/.html

SYDNEY: China is reported to have demanded that Australia review its 50-year-old military treaty with the United States and New Zealand, warning that it could threaten regional stability by drawing Australia into a conflict over Taiwan.

The Australian newspaper quoted Beijing's director-general of North American and Oceanian Affairs He Yafei as saying Australia and the United States had to be careful not to invoke the ANZUS alliance against China.

"We all know Taiwan is part of China and we do not want to see in any way the Taiwan issue become one of the elements that will be taken up by bilateral military alliances, be it Australia-US or Japan-US," He was quoted as saying.

"If there were any move by Australia and the US in terms of that alliance that is detrimental to peace and stability in Asia then it (Australia) needs to be careful." snip

However, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer suggested last year that Australia might not necessarily go to Taiwan's aid because a flare-up might not constitute a direct attack on US interests.

more

[aquart]

1. Well, well, well.

For those who wanted to know if we were still the superpower, here's your answer.

Well, George? Whatcha gonna do now?

[bpilgrim]

3. cheney went to his secure location because he KNEW this was on the horizon

the CRAZIES have gotten, apparently, what they wanted... a NEW world order.

wonder how badly they figure we'll get our hair mussed :shrug:

:scared:

peace

[The Zanti Regent]

20. Why our Great Christian President is taking it to Jesus

Unfortunately, Jesus is too busy and keeps President Asshole on hold!

[bpilgrim]

2. sounds like china might have an idea to CAPITALIZE on our current

misfortune.



peace

[NNN0LHI]

5. Hmm...meek...inherit...earth...hmm. How does that little ditty go again? nt

[The Zanti Regent]

21. Why should China use a bomb when cashing in Treasury notes is more fun?

If China stops financing the Jesusista's debt, that's it. Game Over. We're Done!

[pilgrimsoul]

4. Don't mess with the Chinese

They will not tolerate Georgie's BS. Checkmate, asshole.

[SpiralHawk]

6. This is another fine mess you are getting us into, ChimPee

"People say, how can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you."
- George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

[EVDebs]

7. If they start a war, who's going to be buying all that Chinese merchandise

at WalMart ? But, then again, Taiwanese sappers will find a way to pull the plug on that Three Gorges Dam I imagine.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. Oh, please....let's not start with threats that have no basis....

...in reality. The Chinese have been developing and building economic, political, and military alliances with most, if not all, of the Pacific Basin, India, Middle East, Russia, Europe, Canada, South America, and Central America. When foreign interests are looking to invest, they are looking at China first, not America.

If anyone is on the outside looking in, it's rapidly becoming the US thanks to the policies enacted by the Busch Junta.

[Dhalgren]

27. You got that right!

China could close the door on the US tomorrow and we'd be "out in the cold". China has so much upper hand at this point it literally can't figure out how to use it all.

[sasquatch]

8. If China tells Dubya to jump, he yells "How high."

So China can invade Taiwan and there's nothing to stop them from doing it.

[NNN0LHI]

9. China told Boosh not to invade Iraq

So there really isn't much Boosh can say now.

Don

[sasquatch]

16. Remember when they shot down our spy plane?

And Bush did not a damn thing to punish the Chinese for doing that? Just thought I'd add that to the list.

[Skidmore]

18. He couldn't do anything to them while he has an uncle

stationed there in charge of negotiating trade. THe following article is from 2002. Read the end of the article and decide for yourself whether old Prescott Bush's "social call" to friends in China during that event had anything to do with its hasty resolution. Wonder what * gave away to try to sweep that bit of incompetent foreign business under the rug.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2002/02/19/usat-prescott-bush.htm


Here's another from 2001:

http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/04/04/bush.uncle/

Remember it was * who granted permanent trade status to China.

[jayfish]

19. Well They Actually Didn't Shoot It...

down. It was a mid-air collision between a Chinese interceptor and the American plane. The American plane was forced to land in China. And Bush did something about it alright. He whined like a baby and said we're sorry to the Chinese. All the while proclaiming he would never do such a thing. They even claimed they did not say we're sorry after the deed had been done. Publicly I might add. I saw deep trouble ahead for the US after that debacle.

Jay

[Laurab]

10. For once bushit told the truth

and it's getting truer every day. He's a uniter, not a divider. There aren't too many countries left that he hasn't united against us.

[countmyvote4real]

11. An old joke from my childhood in the 60’s…

It might have even come from the Weekly Reader Highlights, anyway somebody was asking a person of authority what they thought of Red China. Their thoughtful response was that they thought it would look good with a white tablecloth.

Sadly, that could sum up this administration’s foreign policy. And that’s even after the spy-plane fiasco. Gawd, help us.

[cliss]

12. Isn't this something?

I don't know about any other DU:ers, but I'm in a state of dazed amazement about all these recent developments.

It's been a head-spinning array of power struts, Treaties signed, Alliances Forged, Friendships Made, and the Enemy Identified.

As Hugo Chavez Carpes the Diem and is the Man of the Hour, I cannot help but be impressed. Notice how Public all this stuff is? Normally, treaties are more or less private, alliances are forged in secrecy (oftentimes), but this is like Parade Day.

I'm equally alarmed by the new strong-arm tactics being displayed by China. And I despise Bush for pushing them to the forefront.

Their threats and warnings chill me to the bone, because I know they are serious about their threats.

[lovuian]

14. Actually Many Duers have been saying Bush wants WWIII

and he is getting what he wants!!!

I just think its hillarious to see all our corporations putting tons of money into China and they are going to say thanks and get the hell out we don't need you!!!

and they are RIGHT!!!

[unkachuck]

13. yep...

....if we attack again in the world it looks like China is poised to move on Taiwan and resolve the Taiwan issue once and for all....

....it wouldn't be hard to do, Taiwan terrorists blowing something up in Bejing would require such a response....don't you love bush?

[0007]

30. Don't fuck with that ant hill - They'll come and keep on coming

[NNN0LHI]

31. With Boosh's war on terra the US would almost have to support China...

...in that scenario. Got to get them terra-ists you know.

Don

[w4rma]

15. This is not good. They are talking like they are going to act soon and are

getting their ducks in a row before the initial attack, while we are stuck with weak leadership.

[NNN0LHI]

17. They are going to act soon

Their government just voted on a new law giving China the right to invade Taiwan. It reminds me a whole lot of the authorization our congress gave Bush to invade Iraq. One little "terrorist" attack on the mainland that can be blamed on the Taiwanese and they are going in. Thats has become obvious. There is nothing Bush or anyone else can do about it either.

Don

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. The Chinese definition of "soon" may include more than one generation....

...and they may need that time to completely modernize their military to not only successfully invade Taiwan, but to neutralize any threat that may, or may not, come from the US.

By stating that the Cinese need to modernize their military, I'm including a buildup of their Naval forces to include amphibious, surface, and submarine capabilities. Their Air Force needs to be more on a par with the US in regards to combat support, control of the combat theater, reconaissance, and all other roles directed by their leadership. Their Army also needs to be much more capable of defeating the US in ground combat by means other than the mass attack tactics they have used in the Korean War, their border disputes with the former USSR, and their more recent war with the former North Vietnam now know as Vietnam.

Having stated all of the above, now may be the best time for China to make a move on Taiwan. The US is tied up in two wars in the Middle east, and countless other operations around the world making it very difficult for the US to respond militarily in any way other than using the nuclear option.

[Zech Marquis]

23. translation: see these nukes we have?

we can easily have a few poinyed your way :nuke: boy oh bo, is China feeling bold recently or not? I've followed their string of "advise" to the US about the economic mess and other forign policy follies, but to call out one f the very few allies the US has left and say,"watch it, we have you in our sights..." :wow:

[Dhalgren]

25. Right,

and the Aussies have to think about "proximity". China is very close and the US is far away. And as the US continues to weaken, it gets farther and farther...

[NNN0LHI]

26. The most amazing part was for that ally that they called out to respond...

...with "no worries mate, that Taiwan stuff ain't none of our business". I still can't believe that.

Don

[Blackthorn]

33. I'm an Australian...

...and while I in no way support The Howard Government, what the foreign minister said is technically correct. The ANZUS treaty can only be invoked after a *direct* attack on either nation. Howard attempted to invoke it after 9/11, but it never became official. It's seen here as an "agreement" from the US to defend Australia after an attack, rather than vice-versa. Should America respond to an invasion of Taiwan, Australian involvement at best would be simply logisitical. It would be political suicide for Howard. Though stranger thing have happened. At any rate, the ANZUS treaty would no be invoked.

It should also be pointed out New Zealand are no longer part of the treaty, being dismissed in the 70's for refusing to allow US nuclear subs into their harbours.

[NNN0LHI]

34. Thank you and I appreciate the information n/t

[0007]

28. Venezuela, Canada, Iran, North Korea, France, and now China

tells junior to bug off.

[NNN0LHI]

29. Don't forget Lebanon

And I don't think Hezbollah is wearing any orange stocking caps either.

Don

[0007]

35. Your right Don, and junior didn't forget Poland either, did he?

[Toots]

32. a flare-up might not constitute a direct attack on US interests

The opening shot has been fired... Australia and Japan have been forwarned. China has given them an out if they so choose. No way can China's internal matters be an attack on the US.