Everything I hear on the subject from anyone with professional experience is the same that we face a difficult international situation, that our defence capability is poorly resourced, and that we have to accept, however unpalatable it is, that we need to do something about it. I don’t understand why some people don’t understand that Australia needs a defence force. I find it difficult to envisage missiles raining down on Chinese-financed and built infrastructure, a fast train on our east coast being but one example. The Defence Strategic Review claimed China can strike two-thirds of Australia. Perhaps increased involvement by China in Australia’s infrastructure sector would reduce the chances of war. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced the importance of reducing the heat in our relationship with China, but how? Aside from dominating global trade, China provides funding to over 100 countries to develop roads, railways, power plants, ports and other infrastructure projects through its Belt and Road Initiative. Military conflict would result in tragic loss of life and be economically disastrous on both sides. Nevertheless, China’s belligerence in its quest for hegemony in the Indo-Pacific puts us (as AUKUS partner) in the firing line should Taiwan or any of our friends in the north be attacked. In the current climate of increasing tensions and the focus on Australia’s military capabilities, let’s not forget China is our major trading partner (“ War games find Defence unprepared”, May 2).
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