World backs Morrison over China’s tantrum

WITH the exception of a few senior ALP figures, the wider world has backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s refusal to crumble to Chinese demands despite its retaliatory sanctions.

Although many Western nations have been on the receiving end of the Communist Party’s threats, Morrison has been one of a handful to push back – hard.

His response to trade sanctions on Australian beef and barley has been tough – immediately seeking new, friendlier markets – and a surprise to China.

India this week offered to purchase – although at a discounted price – up to 500,000 tonnes of Australian barley caught up in China’s 80 per cent tariff war. Talks with India’s PM Narendra Modi will continue next week.

Also, there are growing rumours the US will increase beef trade with Australia in response to China’s bans.

INTIMIDATE

Australia’s call for an independent investigation into the origins of Coronavirus triggered China’s angry response.

Significantly, more than 120 nations fell in behind Morrison’s call for a full and fair enquiry at this week’s World Health Assembly. Such overwhelming support forced a rare backdown by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who had initially opposed any international enquiry.

China’s desire to “influence” its trading partners has seen it strong-arm many Western democracies, however, Australia is one of the few who has refused to buckle.

Denmark, France and Germany were threatened with trade sanctions if communist-linked Huawei was refused 5G contracts. Germany being told its BMW, Mercedes and Audi motor vehicles may be deemed “unsafe”.

Sweden was cautioned of “shotgun” consequences if it awarded a literary prize to a certain Swedish-Chinese publisher.

While China’s ambassador to Britain Lui Xiaoming described the two nations’ relationship as a “Cold War mindset”.

Locally, Labor opposition leader Anthony Albanese and his foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong broke ranks with Australia accusing Morrison of “mishandling China” and warning him to act “maturely”.

DEBT TRAP

Their Labor colleague and federal front bencher Joel Fitzgibbon also stepped up Labor’s pro-China propaganda this week.

“We didn’t need to be out there in front, offending the Chinese,” the former Australian Defence Minister said.

Victoria Labor Premier Daniel Andrews is currently finalising a secretive Belt & Road Initiative deal with China, a foreign investment program widely described as a debt trap and national security risk.

Australian Labor has a dark history of snuggling up with the communist regime, accepting personal payments to its politicians as well as secretive campaign donations.

Social media commentators worldwide, however, have been less harsh on Morrison than Wong, Albanese and Fitzgibbon.

BRAVE & STRONG

Ram Nivas wrote: “Hail Scott Morrison. Nothing is more precious in life than self-respect. Respect and love from all Indians.”

“India and Australia must join hands to contain China,” wrote Sidarai Malugol in a post on May 23.

Tony Z wrote: “Australia exposed the dragon”.

“Australia is our friend and we should support each other,” according to Anil Joshi.

Karan Dhangar wrote: “Australia is brave and strong. Even the European Union gave up against the Chinese.”PC