China’s live-fire games show why we must step up defence

One can only imagine the reaction of the Chinese government if the Royal Australian Navy sent a similar group of warships to international waters in proximity to China, and conducted live-fire exercises (“China fires out of the blue”, 22-23/2). An apoplectic and vituperative blast from the People’s Republic of China wouldn’t even come close.

Roy Stall, Mt Claremont, SA

The latest aggression by the Chinese with their live-fire drill close to Australia shows China is the main threat to world peace. I believe this is the reason Donald Trump is cultivating Russia.

It is important to note that Russia is not just Vladimir Putin. Does the Western world really want another hardline dictator to follow him? Surely it is better if Russia can see the advantages of being with the Western world compared with aligning with China and Iran. A Russian-American alliance of some sort would very effectively act against increasing Chinese aggression.

Marian Hinwood, Elsternwick, Vic

Although we cannot condone Donald Trump’s treatment of Volodymyr Zelensky, we must accept the urgency for the US to end hostilities in Ukraine to address the greater danger in the Indo-Pacific region. US Vice-President JD Vance made it quite clear in his speech at Munich that the US cannot face two threats to the free world at once and that European nations must step up.

The US has depleted much of its munitions stockpile to assist Ukraine, which the Biden administration made little effort to replenish. In contrast, the Albanese government has made little attempt to support the Ukrainians and has run down our own defence forces, substituting promises of military upgrades decades in the future for the urgent action required now.

This Chinese demonstration of power, just off our shores, is a clear reminder of Australia’s defence impotence. Is this what Labor means by a normalisation of our relationship with the bully of the region?

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

Anthony Albanese’s habit of caving in the face of difficult issues now raises its head in the form of an aggressive and provocative China. At the very least the Prime Minister should have protested that the Chinese navy should have given proper notice of its live-fire operation off the Australian coast.

Michael Fishpool, Carindale, Qld

Why does Australia think we can send surveillance planes to the South China Sea, not exactly next door, then complain when China sends its ships into international waters near Australia? As has become obvious, the world is becoming a transactional place and we really should stop pretending we’re still the cuddly koalas from Down Under.

Krystyna Lynch, Floreat, WA

Whatever the intent behind China’s provocative war games, whether it’s an expression of displeasure over the AUKUS agreement, or the beginning of a campaign to harass Australia into giving China favourable access to our mineral resources, or a replication of its Taiwan strategy of constant sea and air incursions to bring about eventual Taiwanese capitulation, the point is the penny has finally dropped.

Australia’s geography no longer protects our population or key infrastructure from military threats. A formidable deterrent is clearly required in the form of land-based missiles, backed by necessary upgrades to air and naval capabilities to protect our sovereignty and maintain our independence. Offshore wind farms just don’t cut it.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

The Chinese naval formation, in international waters, could have been more responsible in its diplomatic relations with Australia. To its credit, our government has not overreacted to its actions, besides noting its concerns during a recent G20 forum in South Africa.

Under international maritime law, China should have been more courteous and timely in declaring its intentions before conducting its live-fire exercises in the ditch. International flights between Australia and New Zealand (and elsewhere) were affected, necessitating sudden and unplanned flight route changes for air safety reasons.

While Beijing has called our bluff, there is a danger that some future drills could be a miscalculation, igniting a flash point.

Mike Fogarty, Weston, ACT