China masking hostile goals with ‘charm and flattery', Morrison warns

News.com.au

6 days ago

China is masking long-term hostile goals with 'charm and flattery', former prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional committee.
The comments came less than a week after Anthony Albanese returned from a lengthy state visit to China, in which both he and his hosts touted trade, tourism and research as opportunities to deepen ties.
Mr Morrison, now the chairman of Space Centre Australia, testified overnight before the US Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and warned of malice lurking behind Beijing's warm words.
'After the failure of the CCP's coercive efforts to break our resolve, the (People's Republic of China) took advantage of the change in government following the 2022 Federal Election to effect a reset and adopt a different set of tactics,' he told the committee.
'This included abandoning their economic and diplomatic bullying and coercion for more inductive engagement laced with charm and flattery.
'That said, the PRC still continues to engage in intimidatory behaviour by their military against Australia when it suits them, without remorse.
'While the CCP's tactics may have substantially changed, their objectives remain the same.'
The Prime Minister was treated to lunches with business leaders, banquets with Chinese officials and unobstructed views of China's biggest tourist sites on his diplomatic and business blitz.
His mission was clear – shift the focus of the bilateral relationship from a militaristic regional rivalry to friendlier terms, framed by people-to-people ties and a partnership reaping the economic benefits of a global green transition.
Though Mr Albanese was also clear throughout his trip that chasmic differences with Beijing remain.
Any suggestion Australia was realigning itself geopolitically was quickly met with his China mantra: 'We will co-operate where we can, disagree where we must, and always engage in the national interest.'