On August 7, Prime Minister Tan Po (Malcolm Turnbull) delivered a speech at the University of New South Wales to release goodwill to China. On August 9, the Sydney Morning Herald published an editorial entitled "dissipate China, Tan Bao did the right thing." on August 9, the Sydney Morning Herald published an editorial entitled "Let China go, Tan Bao did the right thing." Tan Bao`s move to make a positive evaluation.
The article wrote: a month ago, Bannon (Steve Bannon), former chief strategic adviser to the White House, told the Sydney Morning Herald that Australia should "wake up" to the fact that it is on the front line against Chinese expansionism. We should not continue to act according to the rules.
Mr Tan, however, showed excellent judgment-he ignored Bannon`s "free" advice and delivered an important speech trying to repair friction between Australia and its biggest trading partner.
Previous governments have struck a pragmatic balance, sticking to Australia`s principles on specific issues such as China`s exploitation of the South China Sea or human rights, while accepting the new reality of China`s global power. However, in the past 18 months, Mr Tan`s government has gone to extremes, focusing too much on the threat posed by China, showing a confrontational attitude on issues such as infrastructure and anti-foreign interference in Pacific island countries, in return for falling to a freezing point in Sino-Australian relations.
Against this background, Mr Tan chose the University of New South Wales to deliver a "restart speech." He points out that for decades, Chinese students and Australians have been collaborating on several projects at the University of New South Wales. Tan Bao particularly praised the Sino-Australian joint "Torch" research project.
Tan Bao said that Australia and China are not in the "Cold War (Cold War)", nor is China the same as the former Soviet Union (Soviet Union). Instead of tearing up the rules, he said, it would be better to create a better rules-based order at the World Trade Organization (World Trade Organisation) and the United Nations (United Nations) as a response to China`s development.
In essence, Mr Tan hinted at Australia`s desire to return to its previous status of defending its values and allies with the United States. But at the same time, it is also seeking common interests with China to avoid triggering ideological struggle. It is hoped that this will help rebuild trust, encourage China to resume diplomatic relations, and pave the way for Tan Bao to visit China. As U.S. President Trump (Donald Trump) `s trade war with China adds to tensions between Australia`s two big partners, Australia must seek a middle ground.
