What have the Chinese ever done for the Australians?
- Canberra is risking a regional war for its overlord, the United States, against its biggest trading partner with which it has grown prosperous
Watching Australian media hacks and political hawks preparing their country for a war with China, I am reminded of that famous skit, “What have the Romans ever done for us?”, from Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.
In that classic comedy, a rabble in Israel were calling for death to the Romans. One leader declared: “They’ve taken everything we’ve got as if it was their right, and we’ve got nothing in return though they make so much fuss. What have the Romans ever done for us?”
After some discussion, though, it was pointed out that the Romans weren’t completely evil, as they did contribute “medicine, irrigation, health, roads, cheese, education and baths” to Palestine.
Now, I am not saying the Chinese are contemporary Romans, but the economic rise of China did contribute much to the co-prosperity of both countries.
So, it’s a bit strange that Australia now prefers the path of war offered by its overlord, the United States, against its biggest trading partner. A war over Taiwan, or the South China Sea? Try to wrap your head around that!
“What have the Chinese ever done to you?” That’s the Monty-Pythonesque title of a viral ditty by Australian teacher John Quelch.
So, you want to go to war with the Americans, Aussie? What have the Chinese ever done to you?
Have you forgotten?
They were our willing ally during WWI and II. Not our enemy! Bravely supporting Australian prisoners of war on the Burma Railway. Keeping many from starvation & death.
What have the Chinese ever done to you Aussie? That you hate them so much you want to see them destroyed
Have you forgotten?
Like us Aussies, they too, fought the Japanese. But, for more than a decade longer! From 1932 till ’47, all alone, battling that rapacious foe. Keeping millions of Japanese soldiers locked away from the Pacific front. Protecting many US and Aussie soldiers from a certain death.
What have the Chinese ever done to you Aussie? That you want to see them destroyed in yet another US war of aggression?
Have you forgotten?
For decades now, Chinese economic growth has made Australia’s economy strong. It’s put food on our table, money in our wallets. That’s what the Chinese have done for you, Aussie!
It’s well past time, we buried that old fear bogey, the ‘Yellow Peril’. An ancient racist devil based on assumed white superiority. It’s time to consign this demonic wrath to the dustbin of history
A war on China will certainly be our ruination, Aussie. Maybe, even, an extinction event for us all. Now wouldn’t that be a waste?
If humanity is to survive, time now, to evolve away from war. Towards human understanding and forgiveness. Mutual prosperity and peace.
Oh yeah! What about China’s “economic coercion” and militarisation of the South China Sea? Didn’t they ban Australian barley, beef, cotton, lamb, lobsters, timber and wine?
Can someone tell me the difference between Western sanctions and Chinese economic coercion? Perhaps while the former can devastate an entire population and economy, the latter is much less effective and usually amounts to little more than making a statement.
Let’s not play the victim here, Australia. Didn’t you completely ban Huawei and ZTE long before any other Western or G7 countries? Beijing’s “more bark than bite” economic coercion is nothing compared to US sanctions.
While Chinese sanctions did initially impose some costs on the Australian economy, producers were quickly able to find alternative markets. In any case, those sanctions were short-lived; most were eventually phased out. That’s completely unlike the US’ vicious “forever” sanctions, which also punish other countries, foreign companies and individuals who try to do business with those who are unfortunately targeted.
All in all, an excellent question, Mr Quelch.
