I think in "76mmGuns" case it may be more aptly described as "Xi" or "dictator-phobia"
That said I think it's reasonable to expect that deterring/helping to deter PLAN gunboat diplomacy may appear on the ADF's job description over the next 30 years and beyond. China's rise (not to mention recent behaviour in the SCS) strikes me as unprecedented in many ways and there is a considerable amount of uncertainty in the region as a consequence of it.
As far as I can tell this seems to have been reflected in the recent DWP and in SEA 5000 itself.
Oh for goodness sake.
This is Sinophobia.
Yes, China wants to be the major player in the western Pacific, and from their point of view this is quite understandable.
Australia's position in this will be to recognise that the major player in our own backyard is not the US or Europe but .............. yes, that's right...... China.
The challenge facing the current and future Australian governments will be to develop a foreign policy that is inclusive of China while continuing our traditional alliances.
The problem will be finding the statesmen who are up to the job in leading the country at this time.
It certainly will not be boring, that's for sure
MB
You're both right about my attitudes about the new Emperor.
I recently realised something. This is the first truly major true threat to world peace since WW2. Even the Cold War was only a war by proxy, and people in the know knew that the Soviet Union, and Russia today, never had the economy to take on the US face to face (excluding nukes).
But the CCP, and now Xi, through China, can.
In 2015, China laid down, launched, or commissioned about 60 warships., and has been doing this each year for most of the 2010's.
And there has been no mention of when they expect to stop building. The USN had almost 600 ships in the 1980's. China does not have a manpower issue. It has no monetary issues (no cumbersome social security system for dole bludgers and single parents with 14 kids). When it takes over Australia, it will have no issue with buying iron ore, since it will just take it.
Ever see a 1000+ ship modern navy before? 1500? 2000?
Does China want to be a big influence, or does it want all of AustralAsia to become it's territory?
It's made my imagination run wild with the thought I might have an active war in our region, or at least have enemy carrier groups circumnavigating Australia on a regular basis.
And India, the obvious counterweight, is as corrupt as China, but lacks the forceful single minded focus of direction and leadership that the CCP has provided for the last 30 years.
Ok, I'll stop now- promise.
I want to see which frigate gets chosen!
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