China urges closer military ties with Australia

[Ban Hammer 13,348]

BEIJING – A leading Chinese general urged closer ties with Australia's military on Monday, amid a continuing freeze on Beijing's contacts with the Pentagon.

Gen. Liao Xilong pledged Monday to "beef up military exchanges" with Australia, during a meeting in Beijing with Australian Air Vice-Marshal Margaret Staib, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The People's Liberation Army "hopes to expand its cooperation with the Australian armed forces to push bilateral military ties to a new level," said Liao, who is head of logistics for the 2.3 million-member PLA and sits on Communist Party commission that oversees the military's operations.

The outreach to a top U.S. ally in the region contrasts starkly with Beijing's approach toward Washington — continuing its demands that the U.S. cancel a $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan, and take other unspecified steps to repair relations and allow military exchanges to resume.

China suspended the contacts in January in retaliation for the sale and in recent months has grown increasingly vocal in complaining about U.S. military movements in Asia.

U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, have expressed frustration at the suspension, saying the sides need regular contacts to build trust and avoid conflicts.

The PLA has sought to build relations with other navies through port calls, exchange of visits by top generals, and a limited number of joint sea drills.

Leaders hope that will help lessen concerns about the PLA's burgeoning capabilities, particularly that of its navy, although Beijing's aggressive territorial claims to the South China Sea have spurred some countries such as Vietnam to build ties with the U.S. as a hedge against Chinese influence.

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[^_^ 5,021]

Will the Aussies prostrate themselves before those who wish to be their masters or will they fight?

My guess is they will make like Steve Irwin and act like a bunch of drama queens.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

China is making the move to take over Australia. I wonder if Sweden or Norway or one of those other highly ranked in international studies will help them?

[slim 1,525]

It's going to get ugly if AUS decides to play ball.

I have a feeling they'll stick with the good ole boys.

[Heracles 417]

China is playing an interesting game, I'll tell you that much. The question is, what are they up to.

China reminds me of someone that does not say a lot but is always scheming.

Edited August 10, 2010 by Heracles

[slim 1,525]

China is playing an interesting game, I'll tell you that much. The question is, what are they up to.

China reminds me of someone that does not say a lot but is always scheming.

They're playing Israel's old game. "You can't attack me because XXXXXX is on my side."

[spookyturtle 9,466]

China is planning on taking over Australia so they can supplement their diet with sheep.

[Ban Hammer 13,348]

China is playing an interesting game, I'll tell you that much. The question is, what are they up to.

China reminds me of someone that does not say a lot but is always scheming.

how well can you speak chinese?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

how well can you speak chinese?

Don't worry, France will help out.

[slim 1,525]

China is planning on taking over Australia so they can supplement their diet with sheep.

We saved their butts once already. I guess it wouldn't be too big of a deal to do it again.

[Azzudiin 26]

This country has a short memory, not to long ago we almost went to war because a country parked some missiles a mere 100 miles away from our coast.

We sell arms to a nation that China considers its own, we park the largest aircraft carrier and its escorts within striking distant of Beijing and call it war games.

Maybe its just me, but if someone parked an Aircraft Carrier within range of Washington DC and started selling arms to Puerto Rico to help them fight against us we might be looking for some new allys also to help swing the balance of power.

And yes I speak Chinese so I am ready and waiting.

[slim 1,525]

This country has a short memory, not to long ago we almost went to war because a country parked some missiles a mere 100 miles away from our coast.

We sell arms to a nation that China considers its own, we park the largest aircraft carrier and its escorts within striking distant of Beijing and call it war games.

Maybe its just me, but if someone parked an Aircraft Carrier within range of Washington DC and started selling arms to Puerto Rico to help them fight against us we might be looking for some new allys also to help swing the balance of power.

And yes I speak Chinese so I am ready and waiting.

Don't forget about bombing your embassy! We did that too!

Puerto Rico doesn't want sovereignty or international protection so using that as an example of your ROC doesn't really cut it. It's a pretty unique situation and the only reason they're not speaking Chinese (sic) is because our aircraft carriers and missiles are parked in the South China Sea.

[alienlovechild 75]

This country has a short memory, not to long ago we almost went to war because a country parked some missiles a mere 100 miles away from our coast.

We sell arms to a nation that China considers its own, we park the largest aircraft carrier and its escorts within striking distant of Beijing and call it war games.

Maybe its just me, but if someone parked an Aircraft Carrier within range of Washington DC and started selling arms to Puerto Rico to help them fight against us we might be looking for some new allys also to help swing the balance of power.

Taiwan doesn't have nukes but Cuba did.

China, a totalitarian state, wants to take over Taiwan, a democracy, which hasn't been united with mainland China 1896.

Intercontinental ballastic missiles make missile basing a nonissue now for countries that have the technology to build advanced missiles.

Also note naval war games as to work with S. Korea and Japanese allies, China so far doesn't have a blue navy to protect it's nonexistent allies in the Americas.