60 Minutes Australia - The China Syndrome

17th June, 2018

This week, Australias 60 minutes did a story on the concerns Philip's been raising for some time about Chinese influence and their debt trap diplomacy across Australia and the South Pacific.

Whilst Australia has always been a friend and partner to the South Pacific, Philip believes its time to seriously consider China's motives, especially with the loans and type of projects being undertaken, and the position the South Pacific Islands and its citizens have incurred when the economic realities are realised, and China then needs to be repaid.

Philip's also concerned about how these projects are affecting the South Pacific, especially when China not only funds the project, but also provides the materials and labour so the local population is not able to share in any upside, i.e. employment, training, supply or educational opportunities from the project.

It's also clear that China is currently seeking to grow its sphere of political and economic influence throughout our region and is becoming very aggressive, not least in the South China Seas, but also in Canberra and across Australia.

The 60 minutes story is below, and it's time for Australia to look at China's level of influence and to seriously ask if we are comfortable for China to continue to act in this way and to try and undermine Australia's relationship with our allies and in this case our south pacific neighbours.

Philip Couper

Part 1 (Source - 60 Minutes Australia)

Part 2 (Source - 60 Minutes Australia)

Part 3 (Source - 60 Minutes Australia)