Australian government hopes China will lead on climate change and peace in Ukraine – Watts Up With That?
Essays by Eric Worrall
Another chapter in Australia’s increasingly inconsistent international diplomacy and climate policy.
Penny Wong marks climate change collaboration as Australia tries to restart relationship with China
The minister also reiterated Australia’s expectation that China would use its influence with Vladimir Putin to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wongmarked closer cooperation with China on issues like climate change as part of an ongoing effort to restart a relationship fractured after years of public confrontation.
Like Anthony Albanese publicly signaled that he was willing to meet Chinese leaders During the week-long international summit season in Cambodia, Bali and Bangkok, Wong used a major foreign policy speech in Australia to state her goal of stabilizing relations with China. .
…
Wong said her goal is to find areas of “win-win in our relationship, and we are open to working with China in other ways, including addressing major transnational challenges.” like climate change”.
…
Wong says Australia needs to go its own way. “If Australia can be effective in our foreign policy, especially in multilateral and small party groups, we will have a better chance of maintaining the international order, maintaining our independence, and maintaining the international order. establish, exercise our right to self-determination, and achieve the equilibrium that is the foundation of lasting peace and prosperity.”
…
What are Australian government ministers trying to achieve?
Do they believe that if they are friendly with Xi Jinping, China will build fewer coal plants?
Do they think China has any incentive to try to end the Ukraine war and end the Western sanctions that have turned Russia into a supplier of cheap energy to China and India?
Looking weak and needy in any way helps Australia placate China’s increasingly belligerent leadership, or helps the United States maintain a strong front against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. ?
The phrase that comes to mind is “amateur hour”.
Related
