CHINESE leaders should face harsh Russia-style sanctions if they continue to crush Hong Kong according to former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.
In a wide-ranging interview with British broadcaster and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage this week, Mr Abbott said it was clear China regarded freedom as “poison”.
A clearly frustrated Mr Abbott, who had overseen Australia’s important free trade agreement with China in 2014, didn’t hold back.
“If the Chinese do crush Hong Kong, it can’t be thought of as something of no great consequence,” he said.
“There will need to be serious sanctions put on the Chinese leadership. At least as serious as the sanctions that were placed on Russia when it illegally annexed the Crimea. And then fomented a proxy civil war in western Ukraine.”
Mr Abbott said he had nothing but admiration for the people of Hong Kong.
POISON
“It is wonderful to see the Union Jack being flown on the streets of Hong Kong by protesters who remember the priceless legacy they got from Britain: market freedoms, the rule of law and a degree of political pluralism,” he said.
“Obviously the Chinese communist government finds all of this poison and they are doing their damnedest to stop it from spreading.
“In the end, not only would this be a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong it would be a bitter tragedy for the whole world because as things stand, along with London, New York and Singapore, Hong Kong is one of the great international cities.”
The former PM said it would also be sad for China.
“One of the reasons China has been so economically successful in recent decades is its proximity to Hong Kong and its exposure to the kinds of sophisticated market mechanisms that, up ‘til now, it has been so expert at,” he said.
Mr Abbott also detailed Australia’s position on banning Chinese communication giant Huawei – something the UK has been reluctant to do.
“We took a view, and this has been a bi-partisan position here in Australia, that Huawei is in essence subject to direction by the Chinese communist government.
“In fact, at Chinese law, all businesses are required to obey all dictates of the Chinese communist government and the Chinese communist government is vastly more at ease at doing what it wants than any western democratic government is.
“Why would you allow into the heart of your sensitive telecommunications infrastructure an entity which is effectively an agent for the Chinese communist government.
“It’s more and more clear China is no longer a good international citizen but a pretty threatening international bully.”
MIGRATION
He said he hoped the UK would proceed to reconsider Huawei’s participation in Britain’s 5G network.
Mr Abbott also spoke about Operation Sovereign Borders, the program he implemented in 2013 to halt illegal migration to Australia.
Given escalating immigration issues in the UK, including France’s navy towing people smuggler boats close into UK waters, Abbott was given high praise on UK social media after the interview.
David Irvine wrote: “A sensible no-nonsense approach by Australia which should be replicated in the UK.”
“What an intelligent, sensible guy; the solution is simple return the boats to France and if necessary provide an inflated boat that emits a signal so it can be tracked and re-covered by the French authorities,” Arthur Harrison wrote. “Otherwise it will become a flood of people and there will be a tragedy on one of the busiest channels in the world.”
Ancientman wrote: “The problem is the Australian government wanted the boats to stop the UK government don’t seem bothered.”
“Tony Abbott for PM in UK,” wrote nordog55.PC
If the Australian government had some concern about any form of aggression from China , it would stop the sale and export of iron ore to China – it hasn’t !
Full marks for this article!
Once again we’re reminded of our loss and of one of Morrison’s few mistakes; the new P.M. didn’t place Tony Abbott into a top spot in Australia’s Cabinet where his deep-thinking wisdom and experience would have immeasurably enriched our Governance.