Kevin Rudd on Asia-Pacific relations

America needs to stay

Feb 3rd 2012, 12:37 by The Economist online

AUSTRALIA'S Minister for Foreign Affairs on his country's response to a rising China

America needs to stay

Feb 11th 2012, 04:25

Australia nowadays may take moderate measures to see the new form of Asia-Pacific relation concerned of China-U.S.

From the former prime minister John Howard’s active policy toward outside world, Australia began a very different diplomatic direction to Asia-Pacific region. Of the up-to-date Julia Gillard’s strategies, the thinkings are not only for the existing U.S. but also the addition of Japan, South Korea, China and India. That is to say, this opening and optimistic attitude indicates that Australia will be the buffer solution to this Asia-Pacific region. I think that Australia can play a better role because of the long-standing friendship with U.S. adding to the pragmatic way to Asian newly-emerging power as well as the attention to the development of South China Sea.

The similar idea which was once put forward is Japan’s former prime minister Taro Aso, whose plan was too foggy with too many confused rhetoric and sentences. Instead, Australia zeros in on the big point. But Australia seems to avoid the military issue, expressing this concern less important than economic aspects. During Mr. Howard’s tenure, Australia impressed the peaceful help for East Timor on the world. From this point, Australia tends to take moderate measures to join in the international affairs. Maybe Australia which hasn’t yet conflicted with China can balance these Pacific powers, playing better part than Japan in U.S.-China relationship.

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這是對一篇經濟學人的訪談作小討論。澳洲傳統上在中國和美國的軍事平衡之間，今天其戰略伙伴關係上已經偏向美國和日本，概念上國際政治從和印尼很近的偏不結盟策略到親美陣營的一員。東帝汶是其睦鄰政策的一環，以及和日本的高層互訪都加強了澳洲在亞太地區各方面能見度。筆者曾經在之後提過中國孤島論，這三國緊密的網路也是一個存在因素，而且隨著中國的武備增加，這三國的軍事演習近年也密集了不少。