PM's speech on China threat makes Australia a 'harder target for China'

Описание: Director of Defence and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Michael Shoebridge says Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent update on the threat of China makes Australia a “harder target for China to coerce and pressure.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave a speech to the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday, warning “of the increasing level of foreign interference and proliferation of cyber attacks and the need to expand Australia’s trade relationships beyond its reliance on China,” The Australian reported.

“He’s being honest with the Australian people and he’s also getting a lot of support internationally from other countries and leaders who face the same challenges from China,” Mr Shoebridge told Sky News host Chris Smith.

“He’s doing something about it and making us a harder target for China to coerce and pressure.”

Asked whether the relationship between China and Australia would remain damaged for the long-term, Mr Shoebridge said the relationship would remain as it is “unless we want to change our society” to be more authoritarian like China.

“I think there’s a long-term difference in our systems of government and the way we run our societies,” he said.

“Unless we want to change our society to look more authoritarian, that’s going to stay.”

Image: Getty