China's " Displeasure " !

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie was courageous when he made a speech in parliament in which he identified Chinese billionaire Chau Chak Wing as identity " CC-3 " in an American FBI report on the bribing of a senior UN official.    Mr Chau donates generously to politics in Australia and it is known that he has contributed four million dollars to the major political parties in recent times.

Mr Hastie chairs the important committee  looking into political interference into due process in Australia by foreign governments and his speech came as a surprise to the prime minister.  This FBI report is not classified but the revelation will certainly intensify scrutiny of the political movements of overseas agents and what laws need to be enacted to bring their activities under control.

The reaction from China has been hostile.  It denies any wrongdoing but even a hint of criticism usually brings a sensitive reaction from its upper echelon of government.  If this speech ignites intense media interest and shines the spotlight on the activities of foreign governments we can expect China to show its displeasure and that could be both swift and brutal.


China is the primary destination for our iron ore and coal exports and there is a growing trade in our food exports to that country.  We also have the expectation that China will be a key customer disposing of our wool clip.   This growing Chinese middle class is also fuelling a major portion of our tourist trade and now accounts for a quarter of its dollar value.   Chinese students make up a major portion of the students gaining qualifications in our university systems.

In China, the Communist party uses the levers of power to impose its will on all aspects of trade. The private sector is completely subservient to its wishes and obeys without question.  We may remember what happened when North Korea was threatening war against South Korea and the Americans offered a missile system to beef up South Korean defence.   China objected because the radar of this system could possibly see deeply into China and when South Korea proceeded against their wishes they forced the closure of a giant South Korean grocery supermarket chain in Chinese cities and abruptly stopped the tourist exchange.  That had a dramatic effect on the South Korean economy and only lasted a short time, but the threat was obvious to all nations where trade with China is important to their economy.

Perhaps Mr Hastie thought it important that ordinary Australians be aware of the threat that countries like China and Russia impose when they manipulate our media and use political donations to sway the intent of legislation.  Perhaps he wants to make it known how much manipulation is already taking place and beef up resolve to enact the necessary laws to protect our legislation from outside influence.

What happens from here depends on several factors.  Usually the government and the opposition  employ traditional bipartisanship when relations with other countries are involved but Bill Shorten may decide to seek political advantage with this issue.  If this becomes a wedge in Australian politics China may seek to exploit the opportunities offering by ramping up the damage it can inflict on the Australian economy.

That is something we would be wise to endure.  It is vitally important that we maintain our posture as an independent and well armed nation delivering stability in the lower south Pacific.  The laws that govern this land will not be influenced by the actions of foreign money interests dictated from puppet masters acting for outside interests.    It is important that the laws we pass to control outside interests originate in this country.