Public sentiment towards Australia's military encounters with China is predominantly negative, with significant criticism aimed at Australia's military presence in the South China Sea. Commenters express concerns about the provocations this creates with China, questioning the rationale behind these actions, the dependency on U.S. military support, and advocating for a more introspective foreign policy that prioritizes domestic concerns and economic interests. The overall mood reflects a desire for improved diplomatic relations rather than escalating military tensions.

Australian Government

Chinese Government

United States

And China answers “ piss off and give us some more gas and iron ore.”

Maximum-Shallot-2447

What a waste of time. The answer will be meaningless. 

In the past 25 years, name the countries that have expanded their land through military might. 

China's on that list.

ausmomo

Why wouldn't they build up given every day America is antagonising the world and especially China.

bifircated_nipple

It is highly provocative. Why not ask the US of the same question?

Expert_Part_9115

[deleted]

Better start brushing up on mandarin I spose

You should see this thread on / r / Australia and the amount of CCP apologism and Australia self loathing. It’s mind blowing

The fact is that China is a one party authoritarian communist state. Communist states always rely on aggression and force against others for their own survival and continuation of their one party rule.

It’s not a matter of if they attack, it’s when. It will be Taiwan first. If the Democrats won, they’d still be asking us to increase defence spending. China is a global threat the likes of which we haven’t seen since the axis powers in WW2

SeaDivide1751

Meanwhile we still send them our coal and minerals. If they’re such a threat, why do we still do business with them? 🙄🥴

chozzington

China is clearly getting ready for the taking of Taiwan.

They will most likely be humiliated again, like they have been in every single other war. However they are going above and beyond this time to try their very best not to humiliate themselves again.

Competitive-Green336

I wander, Did Australia ask USA this question? 1 trillion dollars military budget. China's is a dwarf compare to USA. And how many military bases USA has around China? And how many bases China has around USA?

Asking for a friend..

GeologistOld1265

This is Myles being tough I suppose?  China must roll around on the floor laughing hysterically  when ever an Australian politician "demands an explanation"

Jackson2615

Think Marles should focus on asking what Hegseth what he spent our $500m on and whether they are on track to send us our subs. 
I’m more concerned that Hegseth is pushing for us to buy more stuff from him when he haven’t delivered on their existing orders yet.

Comfortable_Trip_767

So there's military bases in Korea, Japan, the marshal islands, the Philippines, 3 other Japanese islands all surrounding China but they're the ones with a military build up. Sweet. Got the talking points.

Rizza1122

We're spending like half a trillion dollars buying nuclear subs specifically to use against China and not any other country. But when we do unprecedented military buildups *it's cute*

Sonofbluekane

I played enough Command &amp; Conquer as a kid to know the best strategy is to build up a massive army, stack your air force and tanks, then go full scorched earth on your opponent.

It’s actually kind of wild how the West, Australia, Canada, Europe, the UK (especially Ireland),  is busy fussing over net zero and cultural enrichment, while China’s just quietly gearing up for war without giving a toss about any of that.

China isn’t building island airstrips and missile bases for tourism. They’re setting up the board so they can wage war on their neighbours if and when they want to. There’s only one real reason to militarise half the fucking sea

MarvinTheMagpie

Because it's protecting its trade routes with western trade partners from a war with western powers\*.

China's reported % of GDP spent on military is actually low. I don't trust that figure or their GDP figure. What is clear is that China's now the second strongest economic/military nation in the world and wants to take Taiwan. It's said as much.

That said Taiwan is a political question, not military one. China's building up to compete with America globally in influence, not to fight America over Taiwan.

\*This is obviously a meme. China's obviously doing and wants to do superpower shit with its military.

Beast_of_Guanyin

Taiwan and the south China sea are both claimed by PRC and ROC even before PRC is founded.

They have never abandoned the claims.

Cream_panzer

Please explain!!... Doesn't sound as good unless it comes from Pauline Hanson!

daringstud

We are gearing up to fight the brave fight against our mortal enemies - the emu clan.

Our last defeat will not go unpunished...

Prestigious-Gain2451

Specialist_Matter582

Can you get Pauline to ask this question?

Better-Possession-69

Well, there is not much we can do about it, don't we?

Question why should Australia care, getting involved will only hurt us no matter what happens. Best if we just keep to ourselves. If USA wants to gets involved let them, what have they done for us anytime since ww2. China is our biggest trade partner so just from an economic pov it makes more sense to keep good relations with them all us seems to do is take from us with nothing in return.

fangdangfang

emptybottle2405

choldie

Ein Reich, Ein Volk vibe.

China suffers the complex of being very late to a party that was actually never cool

Raccoons-for-all

America was invaded by Europeans as well as Australia the locals just been push to the side.Same happened in Taiwan,Japan New Zealand and the list goes on.That is what we do as humans . Majority rules

InnerYesterday1683

https://preview.redd.it/6j5uxoethg4f1.jpeg?width=500&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=31dc5029a54a6253941d3106c793aac49d4c4751

Australia should have a nuclear deterrent.  And ideally on subs or hypersonic missiles or both.  We can not rely on the USA. 

And China will absolutely own Taiwan within 3-20 years and after they own it who’s next?

Artforartsake99

I bet China told him to jog on, to put it politely.

Melodic_Pause

Because they will be taking on Taiwan in 2028

SufficientWarthog846

I’d give a hell of a lot more ducks about this is we were asking America why they’ve been spending a trillion dollars (give or take) a year, year on year, for two decades. 

TrashNo7445

We’re up shit creek if we literally have to ask.

punkmonk13

Chyna already told everyone that they will take Taiwan by or in 2027.
That probably pans out to be 2025/2026.
Just like ruzzia said,we're just doing military training and exercises.

Jay_Beel

[removed: nevermind, he wasn’t addressing China directly, this is overblown]

CeleryMan20

A country whose economy and industries have grown MASSIVELY in recent decades, constantly threatened by the US and its deputy, with industrial capability to match anyone, decides to develop modern weapons. 

WHY THE FK are we trying ourselves to the flaky idiots in the US when we need to be building ties... and weapons programs... with regional allies? 

Albo is trying to be Keir Starmer, a Tory with a red tie. 

Well China might ask us why we cancelled an effective, defensive submarine program for new weapons whose only advantage is to attack Chinese shipping in its own waters.

llordlloyd

The US openly and constantly talks about waging war on China. The US unsuccessfully attempted to wage economic war on China, and has done so all through the first Trump regime, the Biden regime, and escalating in the second Trump regime.

The US recruits its vassals, especially Australia and the Philippines, to practice naval blockades on China. The US, Australia and Philippines regularly cross into waters claimed by China.

The US insists that Australia purchase nuclear attack subs of zero use for defense, only appropriate for offensive warfare, and Australia agrees. These subs will be paid for by Australia, but under "joint command" which means America sets the targets and we follow their order.

The US insists that Australia pay them to build and operate naval bases capable of hosting nuclear-armed strategic submarines.

The US has a 200+ year history of attacking weaker countries, and a national ethos of "Manifest Destiny" which means "We can do whatever we want, and God/Providence wants us to succeed". Since 1991, the US openly and proudly admits to [251 wars, military interventions and invasions](https://towardfreedom.org/story/archives/americas/u-s-launched-251-military-interventions-since-1991-and-469-since-1798/), not including off-the-books black ops, proxy wars, and foreign insurgencies funded by them.

The US unsuccessfully funded and supported violent insurgents in Hong Kong and mainland China itself, following the same pattern they have successfully used around the world, and shows no sign of stopping. The US also supports and funds outright literal terrorists in Xinjiang.

The US openly proclaims the intention to destabilize and split rival countries like Russia into dozens of mini-countries that can be more easily controlled, and hints that they have the same plan for China.

Australia to China: "Why are you building up your military?"

stevenjd

Can't wait for this to show up in a Utopia episode. Golden material here. 

VeleroEspanol

Like China cares what we think.

It's probably part of their plan to destroy us economically by slowing our iron ore industry.

I miss the days when there was a good guy superpower and a bad guy superpower and we faced nuclear annihilation on a daily basis

Now it’s bad guys and crazy guys and I can’t see any good guys and nuclear annihilation is just one of the existential threats to worry about

Oh well at least there are still some jobs available

Individual senators from the United States are constantly threatening them. Is it any surprise? I would too if Trump was making moves to be in a better position to harm me. 

Of course, they also want to take Taiwan and SCS so there is also that.

But let's not get silly.

Public-Dragonfly-786

If the US treated me the way they treat China, I'd also want to make sure I could defend myself.

Of course, they are also after Taiwan and SCS.

But don't get scared. None of this is about Australia at all.

I hope the Chinese keep building. They are a proper hardworking people.

willis000555

China is not a military power because they only dare to throw stones when rubbing against India and water cannons when colliding with the Philippines. Look at the attitude of militarily powerful countries such as Russia, Israel, the United States, and India towards their enemies - ignoring human rights and bombing and destroying enemy territory. China is unable to provide genuine military support to its ally Russia, and instead exports a large number of drones and goods to Ukraine. Ukraine's largest trading partner is even China, which cannot even compare to North Korea in this regard. So obviously, China is a military weak chicken, and its national strength is weaker than all the countries mentioned above

Comfortable-Kale8718

agitator12

Are we going to send the same question to the United States? 

To defend themselves against the aggressive American who have time and time again meddled in the affairs of left leaning governments.

China doesn't want an American led colour revolution

dreamlikey

uhhh, would we get high speed rail out of this ..... asking for a friend ...

Jemtex

Hey why are you building up your military?

…..because you’re building up yours?

Oh my god, we’re doing that because you did!

Oh wow, us too!

*vigorous make out sounds*

Working-Albatross-19

Just for some context, we spend more as a percentage of gdp on defence than they do.

Both dwarfed by the Americans of course.

QuestionableBottle

Manufacturing consent for the drastic increase to the war budget is the purpose of the piece, in case you missed the subtext.

&gt; The ministers had separately addressed reporters on the sidelines of an Asian defence summit held in Singapore.

&gt; Marles said "we actually are taking steps down this path… we understand it, we're up for it." US President Donald Trump has called on Australia to increase its spending to 3%, but Canberra has yet to publicly commit to that number.

Whilst houses become unaffordable, labour rights going backwards, more gas more extraction, we love war don't we folks 😍😍

What if China asks us to explain AUKUS? Or to explain all the US bases surrounding it? Or to explain the 'war on terror', and invasion of Iraq? What would we say then? That we think were part of the world police, and China better not resist?

theiere

Probably the very public US defence policy of 'Pivot to Asia' that has been in place for nearly 2 decades now.

Benu5

Because they are threatened constantly by the world's largest military power which is currently run by a megalomaniacal narcissist.

RaeseneAndu

I wonder why the world's second biggest economy, which isn't Aligned with America, which constantly has American ships within striking distance of their cities, is constantly being spied on, and made the mistake of dominating trade (as it had for nearly 5 thousand years) would feel the need to build up their military? It's a mystery.

Back in the day the Japanese economy was looking as though it may surpass the Americans, so the Americans forced upon them a new trade deal in which they crippled the Japanese.
They couldn't make China agree to that kind of deal, so they're resorting to more thuggish means.

I'm personally a fan of heavily armed neutrality.

Infinite_Tie_8231

Marles is Labor's weakest link. He's parroting Trump's rhetoric instead of looking after Australian interests. Trump announced a one trillion dollar military budget and an intention to take over Canada and Greenland; if anyone owes the world an explanation it's the USA.

Suibian_ni

Right to self defence for thou but not for thee

htshurkehsgnsfgb

what the hell is going on in these comments

yeahcxnt

Better question. Why are we letting Gina and Clive get rich selling off our national mineral resources to a hostile country?

GnomeWarfair

"China also responded to Macron, who had compared the defence of Taiwan to the defence of Ukraine, and said the comparison was "unacceptable" as the "Taiwan question is entirely China's affair"."


Russia says the exact same thing about Ukraine. It's only the business of the invaders. 

Conscious-Disk5310

US now asking Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5%. They keep demanding more. I bet Albo is frustrated as this is going to be a loyalty test for Australia. For context we are expected to raise defence to 2.33% by 2030s.

Even China only spends ~2%. Will Albo make a bit more concessions or are we going to say “no.”

Vindicator909

This thread looks like it's getting brigaded as fuck, but I'll try to weigh into this cesspit as best I can. You can usually tell pro China brigaders because they are obsessed at bringing up the US every 10 seconds, and using the wrongdoings and crimes of the US to justify behaving in the same way.

China made it clear they see us as a potential vassal state in their sphere of influence if US influence in the area diminishes and we don't have some sort of alliance as a counterweight, we're going to be to giving into the infamous 14 demands instead of laughing at them. Their propaganda commonly preys on a lack of knowledge such as emphasising stupid shit like the terminology of stuff such as "attack" submarines, what do you think the carrier groups they are building is going to do? Defend the coastline? Carrier groups are force projection, that's why the US has so many. Nuclear submarines are a fantastic weapon for smaller countries to deter larger ones, it's a credible threat even to the most powerful of navies, hence China disapproves of it so much, it's very much a huge danger to those oh so defensive carriers they're building. 

And if people think living in the US sphere of influence is bad then they need a wake up call on just how bad China can be. Like, I'm incredibly left wing but I'm seeing a lot of black and white thinking of US = BAD so therefore CHINA = GOOD. 

It doesn't work like that and the fact that people here are acting like Western democracies are provoking China by sailing in the waters off the Philippines scares me, because it means their propaganda is succeeding in obscuring that China has been trying to bully it's smaller neighbours into accepting ridiculous claims on territories that goes against international law. Western countries sailing the waters China is trying claim, is about reinforcing the point that we support the Philippines and respect their sovereignty from Chinese attempts at bullying them out of their own territorial waters. It's about discrediting Chinas ridiculous claims and supporting a country that could never defend itself from China alone.

And this is what it comes down to all around the planet right now, that why the defence minister even comments that China was following International law with its live firing exercise off the Australian coast. You have countries like Russia and China that want to go back to a Great power system that dominates it's neighbours, and the only law is the one the Great power chooses and you have Western democracies who want to stick to an international law based system.

An international law based system is far better for Australia than a multipolar world where US power is diminishing and great powers like China just do whatever the fuck they want. 

The fact their is so many pro ccp posts in this thread is extremely concerning, many of them repeating deceptive talking points that sound good and aren't easy to counter without long and boring context that most people won't read nowadays. 


This has nothing to do with the US imperialistic bullshit for the record, I despise their current administration and some of their former administrations should be in prison for their bullshit in Iraq. But even I understand that China's authoritarian dictatorship is a far bigger danger than the US ever was, in fact I think China is far worse than even post-Stalin USSR.

Turkster

Fuck im so sick of this narrative that China cant “build up” their military.

Theyre a country of 1.4 billion and shit ton of their trade is by sea and export.

There is no reality where a superpower with such large self interest does not build up its military.

Are we still expecting them to sail around in junks or soviet era crap like North Korea just because some misplaced sense of racism?

Oh yess only America can buildup its military because America is righteous and just and invade countries and have military bases next to “adversaries”

America has bases in Japan Korea Phillipines and Guam all with the stated goal of containing China and capable of striking Beijing and Shanghai in an hr if needed.

This is the security equation.

Yet we get hysterical over a port lease and chinese sailing a few ships close to us whilst US and Australian ships sail 100km from Chinese coast transiting the taiwan strait and such.

Some of yall mfers lost any perspective lapping up  the redscare bullshit.

And even if there is a war with china, there is the question of whether we will join in considering its very unlike Japan or Korea will join in because if they do, their country is eating ass from Chinese missiles.

Financial-Chicken843

Xi Jinping:

Dear PLA, please build up the military so we have capability to capture Taiwan by 2027

Australia:

Can you guys please explain the military buildup

Emergency-Ticket5859

r/Australia needs to be nuked, some of the worst humans comment here

are we being America’s lapdog again?

sorry, Taiwan, but how is this our fight?

Beginning_Dream_6020

This seems like a reasonable request to me. A request for transparency, since transparency is the best way to build trust and ease anxieties.

jolard

America is behaving like an armed toddler. There's your answer.

The US and its allies have spent the last couple decades practicing for war off the coast of China.

If you had a bunch of militant nations who built their empires off pillaging poor nations practicing to fuck up your country, wouldn't you make preparations in response?

What do we expect China to do? Roll over and be the economic slaves of Trump's America?

Fuck that noise. I'll be fighting against the Hegseth scum of the world.

CsabaiTruffles

What has me somewhat perplexed is what does Australia expect by asking a question like this? 

It's a bit like some small Pacific Island nation asking Australia the same question.

In that case, the Australian response is likely to be something polite but dismissive *at best*. At worst, it might involve a joke about water lapping around their ankles. 

China is likely to take less real notice. (Not to mention the rather pithy Cantonese jokes about Marles and his Mum behind our backs).

China isn't going to take any notice in terms that will have any good outcome for Australia. 

What is this naive posturing really about?

Frank9567

I think it's between China and the US we should stay out of it and also our country is located in Asia we should be respectful and get along with our close neighbours.

a_pollina

Why does China need to explain anything? Does America tell the world where all its defence bases are and there military might? 
Let’s not forget who keeps starting wars and invading other sovereign countries or helps others to do so

This gives Pauline Hanson's "Please Explain" vibes

Signal_Tip_7107

I'm glad there are more sane people in this sub than warmongers.

AnxiousPheline

China military build up isn’t a problem. Claiming critical island chains and sea passages they have no historical claim over is, especially if they use their military to oust the legal owners. Honestly China really messes up with their foreign policy I. This regard, they could have had ASEAN on their side if only they weren’t so belligerent with their neighbors.

Halfmoonhero

Get ready for another flop of an answer like “to help steadfastly ensure the continuing peace in the region”

No-Relief-6397

if china was in nato it would be sanctioned and reprimanded for not meeting the 2% minimum spending lol

heavanlymandate

Australia: "explain why you need to increase your military China."

China:

https://preview.redd.it/5txthjukqe4f1.png?width=1425&amp;format=png&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=36e49b5a2664f3eb02458e087c14745851689da4

Edit: I should point out that the map is at the least up to date till 2018 and a few of them were there during Obama's Pivot to Asia strategy. Please note a modern map of this areas should include way more dots.

Edit 2: For those wondering about the base in China itself. This map was from 2018, when the US navy had a military ship support unit based in Hong Kong. I am not a fan of this being categorized as a base.

GetOutOfTheWhey

Australian warships have repeatedly sailed through the Taiwan Strait. After China lodged a protest, Australian media responded provocatively:  

“China could sail a warship through Bass Strait if it wanted”  

[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7793133/china-could-sail-a-warship-through-bass-strait-if-it-wanted/](https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7793133/china-could-sail-a-warship-through-bass-strait-if-it-wanted/)

Do you want military deterrence?  

China is far larger than Australia in terms of size. Who gave Australia the audacity to continuously provoke China?  

You wanted provocation; you got provocation.  

Remember: Australians, you were the ones who started it.

SnooStories8432

2% gdp defence spending

extraordinary gdp growth 

please explain!!!

ravenhawk10

I mean, if the US can spend $1 trillion on its military and build bases all around the world, why can't anyone else?

YamborginiLow

Just saying China only spend 1.7% of its GDP on military and somehow everyone now is freaking out lol. Even Australia, who is known to spend close to nothing on military, spend 1.9% on its GDP on military.

Pension-Helpful

China is building a larger buffer zone as well as strategic military bases it can use as air bases for longer range air strikes. China’s carriers are not capable of long distance travel yet so they need islands. 

Part of securing those military bases is to intimidate the region into submitting the land. It’s all part of the greyzone warfare that China has been conducting on all its neighbors.

Chogo82

I get that, but doing it en masse like this, ICE raids, snatching people off the streets to send to foreign prisons is a bit Gestapo-y. And sure, jamming up the legal system with thousands of trials ain't gonna happen, but the lack of over sight means mistakes are gonna happen, which we're already seeing. And aside from that, letting a bunch of white south Africans in while simulateously going after anyone Latino looking makes this look, to the entire rest of the world, like a white supremacist thing.

Reservoir_Dogman

China needs to strengthen its military to protect trade between China and Australia from being disrupted by the Australian government

fuwei_reddit

**NOTICE: See below for a copy of the original post by GetOutOfTheWhey in case it is edited or deleted.**

Context:

* Australian Defense Minister Marles has urged China to offer more transparency around its military build-up in the IndoPacific regions at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
* The Philippines Defence Minister Teodoro called China’s actions in the South China Sea reckless and unacceptable.
* The US Secretary of Defense Hegseth has claimed China poses an 'imminent' threat to Taiwan and seeks regional hegemony, that US will not be pushed out of this critical region and will continue to secure their interests. 
* The Shangri-La Dialogue is led by several Think Tanks, previously it has been a platform for US-China defense diplomacy however this year China has stepped back from meaningfully contributing, thus the forum has become a place for countries to criticize China's more recent actions. 

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/China) if you have any questions or concerns.*

AutoModerator

The only logical explanation is that koala stuffed bums have become popular.

No-Muscle-3318

Last year they said “this year they will invade”. 

This year they say “this year they will invade”. 

Next year they will say “this year they will invade”.

LittleBirdyLover

My my Australian marbles are quite fragile

Fit-Squash-9447

One ship sails near Australia and they lose their minds. Meanwhile, the us has dozens of bases and hundreds of ships perpetually surrounding China and politicians explicitly pushing for balkanization of China.

Former_Ad_7720

princemousey1

Asking for a friend I bet (a friend with military bases surrounding China)

I believe the us dod publishes a yearly white paper on the PLA.

Tomasulu

readytall

🥲 i hope my family and friends in Taiwan stay safe.

SANGVIS_FERRI

Like all dictators. Obviously Xi wants to expand the empire. Ego tripping. War is inevitable. The narrative and excuse is pointless at this point. No one builds the largest navy in the world for defence. Must be retarded to believe that.

sin2099

Australia has accused China of unsafe military maneuvers after a close encounter involving military aircraft.

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