Keating berates sub-standard China stance
Australia "is now very much at odds with its geography", Paul Keating says.
Former prime minister Paul Keating thinks Australia has lost its way in the region and is foolish to seek a new submarine deal to contain China's military efforts.
In a scathing critique of Australia's foreign and defence policy, the former Labor leader said the decision to work with the United States and United Kingdom on nuclear-powered submarines was "like throwing a handful of toothpicks at a mountain".
He likened the deal - which came under the auspices of the new AUKUS pact - to "buying an old 747", saying the most obvious choice would have been a French boat which used more modern technology.
Mr Keating, who led Australia between 1991 and 1996, warned the country had "lost its way" in the region and needed to acknowledge China's pre-eminence.
"I am back to talk about what I see as a deterioration in our strategic setting," he told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"The country is now very much at odds with its geography and it has lost its way. We are still trying to find our security from Asia rather than in Asia."
Mr Keating warned Australia could not afford to wait for US Virginia-class nuclear-propelled vessels that would be antiquated when they arrived in the 2040s or 50s.
"We're going to have to rapidly rebuild the Collins class, the existing submarines, but also build another class of conventional Australian submarines," he said.
"We ought to ... go back to the French and say, 'Let's have another look at your modern low-enriched nuclear submarines'."
Mr Keating argued China's socio-economic assent had no modern precedent, and it was not seeking to overturn the world order but reform it.
"They are in the adolescent phase of their diplomacy.They have testosterone running everywhere, the Chinese," he said.
"But we have to deal with them because their power will be so profound in this part of the world."
The signing of the AUKUS deal further inflamed trade tensions with China, which has already rejected Australian coal, barely, beef, lobster, timber and wine imports.
Mr Keating wants to see the return of a "sensible" relationship with China and doesn't think Australia should trouble itself too much with tensions involving Taiwan.
"Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest ... we have no alliance with Taipei," he said.
Mr Keating also maintained Australia should reserve the right to speak out on human rights concerns.
"You can speak powerfully about the rights of citizens in this countries, but that can't be the whole conversation," he said.
Australian Associated Press
Former prime minister Paul Keating thinks Australia has lost its way in the region and is foolish to seek a new submarine deal to contain China's military efforts.
In a scathing critique of Australia's foreign and defence policy, the former Labor leader said the decision to work with the United States and United Kingdom on nuclear-powered submarines was "like throwing a handful of toothpicks at a mountain".
He likened the deal - which came under the auspices of the new AUKUS pact - to "buying an old 747", saying the most obvious choice would have been a French boat which used more modern technology.
Mr Keating, who led Australia between 1991 and 1996, warned the country had "lost its way" in the region and needed to acknowledge China's pre-eminence.
"I am back to talk about what I see as a deterioration in our strategic setting," he told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
"The country is now very much at odds with its geography and it has lost its way. We are still trying to find our security from Asia rather than in Asia."
Mr Keating warned Australia could not afford to wait for US Virginia-class nuclear-propelled vessels that would be antiquated when they arrived in the 2040s or 50s.
"We're going to have to rapidly rebuild the Collins class, the existing submarines, but also build another class of conventional Australian submarines," he said.
"We ought to ... go back to the French and say, 'Let's have another look at your modern low-enriched nuclear submarines'."
Mr Keating argued China's socio-economic assent had no modern precedent, and it was not seeking to overturn the world order but reform it.
"They are in the adolescent phase of their diplomacy.They have testosterone running everywhere, the Chinese," he said.
"But we have to deal with them because their power will be so profound in this part of the world."
The signing of the AUKUS deal further inflamed trade tensions with China, which has already rejected Australian coal, barely, beef, lobster, timber and wine imports.
Mr Keating wants to see the return of a "sensible" relationship with China and doesn't think Australia should trouble itself too much with tensions involving Taiwan.
"Taiwan is not a vital Australian interest ... we have no alliance with Taipei," he said.
Mr Keating also maintained Australia should reserve the right to speak out on human rights concerns.
"You can speak powerfully about the rights of citizens in this countries, but that can't be the whole conversation," he said.
Australian Associated Press
Keating sounds like he's possessed by the ghost of Neville Chamberlain.
ReplyDeleteOr more likely , the sound of large amounts of US Dollars converted from Yuan.
for ages, Keating is known to be pro Asia or believing in Australia's position in Asia and not as part of the West. He was pally buddy with Suharto, probably the only Aussie Suharto has real friendship with
DeleteOld moneyed mfer, u ONLY want to see what u have intended every time yr uncle Sam is under microscope.
DeleteUS can do no wrong! Heil the demoNcratic capitalist!
I disagree that Keating is being pro Asia.
DeleteHis proposition that Australia simply accede to China's intentions in Asia is really Pro-China, and throwing the rest of Asia to the Wolf.
Wow…
DeleteLooking at the current proper geopolitics of Asia IS pro-China!
No wonder an anmokausai Yankee asslicker can loudly proclaim supporting US Americanism is democracy at work!
How about demoNcracy at large?
Know the difference, old moneyed mfer?
Amazing how old politicians get smart, only after they retire. In recent decades Oz has tried to be "part of Asia" instead of being a "white extension" sticking out in a yellow sea.
ReplyDeleteSo if you want to be part of Asia then you must take an interest and get your hands dirty in Asian affairs. Yes, even politics.
Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1975 and in 1976 declared it to be its 27th province. Oz did nothing. Even the Hawke and Keating Labor gomens (1983-1996) Oz could not do anything to this "Little Bully" Indonesia. It was only after the Dili Massacre when Indonesian troops killed 250+ civilian protestors that finally under UN pressure (& Liberal gomen under Howard) that a referendum was held, the Little Bully kicked out and East Timor became independent in 2002.
Don't make that same mistake in for Taiwan. You want to be "more Asian" then be Asian. Or else Big 5000 yo Bully next door will simply overrun Taiwan. If war breaks out over Taiwan, the Dili Massacre will be a school canteen food fight in comparison.
What to overrun in Taiwan?
DeleteOoop… those f*cking anmokausai toads!
Toad massacre?
Wakakakakaka… those toads would be the first to run to uncle sam's aircraft carrier stationed at the eastern sea of Formosa!
So what massacre r u farting about in yr wet dream?
Frenchie subs are even more outdated than Virginia or Astute class. What is Keating talking about?
ReplyDeleteWakakakakaka…
DeleteFrench Barracuda class (or Suffren class) is a nuclear attack submarine, designed by the French shipbuilder Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS and DCN) for the French Navy. The first unit was commissioned on 6 November 2020.
The US Virginia class, also known as the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines, in service in the United States Navy since 2004.
The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) in service with the UK Royal Navy. The boat was launched in 2007.
Based on the commissioning dates, blurred mfer whose subs r been outdated?
Truly know nothing fart!
That's right.....8 submarines is like toothpicks against a mountain....so why is everyone so upset about AUKUS......?
ReplyDeleteJust STFU....and leave Oz alone....
5000 yo Bully is building a Type 4 aircraft carrier....and it is nuclear powered.....no issue here.....?
If it's already a known " toothpicks against a mountain", then WHY on earth still want to spend the money?
DeleteSyiok-sendirism or undertabling?
China is building her own nuclear navy fleet - not buying!
So what's the issue here?
Circular logik. Our ASEAN neighbours have been buying weapons for decades, from USA, Europe, Russia, India etc. We never complained. But when Oz wants to buy all hell breaks loose, need to run to Beijing to consult Dage......
DeleteOoop…
DeleteCircular logic?
Buying conventional weapon vis-a-vis nuclear grade armory can be the same logic for a blurred mfer!
Then, why yr uncle Sam pura-pura intervened in Iran nuclear power program?
Furthermore, ain't the current dingoland administrators treating the Oz sovereign signatory on The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, NPT, as a piece of toilet paper?
Ooop… circular logic has a different interpretation for those fart well dwelling katak!