US Military Chief Wants Australia to Pick Between China and US.

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/us-army-boss-tells-australia-to-get-off-the-fence-when-it-comes-to-supporting-china-and-us/news-story/c021df9f2e2ba6407f6001fa0e9bf3d9

A UNITED States Army colonel says Australia must choose between the US and China.

Speaking to ABC's Radio National this week, US Army Pacific Assistant Chief of Staff Tom Hanson said Australia could no longer sit on the fence when it came to matters of global interest involving both nuclear-armed nations.

"I think the Australians need to make a choice," he said.

"It's very difficult to walk this fine line between balancing the alliance with the United States and the economic engagement with China ... there's going to have to be a decision as to which one is more of a vital national interest for Australia."

The ANZUS alliance is more than 60 years old and is the bedrock of Australia's defence policy, while China has grown to become Australia's most important trading partner.

The comments come at a time of increasing tension between the superpowers over China's claims in the South China Sea.

Darwin is part of the US's "pivot" towards Asia and began hosting rotations of Marines in 2012.

There are about 1200 Marines in Darwin this Dry Season. That number will grow to 2500 in coming years.

Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross told Foreign Policy that Colonel Hanson's view was not that of the US Government.


"The idea that Australia, or any country, needs to choose between its longstanding ties to the United States and its emerging links with China presents a false choice," he said.

"Australia has strong, multifaceted ties with its Pacific neighbours, including China, just as we seek the same."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will attend the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou beginning this weekend.

Mr Turnbull is likely to face questions about Australia's recent blocking of Chinese investment in electricity distributor Ausgrid and rural properties.

China does not want the summit to debate its muscle-flexing in the South China Sea and it will likely be an issue on the margins.
"The idea that Australia, or any country, needs to choose between its longstanding ties to the United States and its emerging links with China presents a false choice," he said.

"Australia has strong, multifaceted ties with its Pacific neighbours, including China, just as we seek the same."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will attend the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou beginning this weekend.

Mr Turnbull is likely to face questions about Australia's recent blocking of Chinese investment in electricity distributor Ausgrid and rural properties.


So if the elite and the Parliament choose China to be our great and powerful friend , that's the end of the White man here!