Diplomacy with China remains vital over wine and other exports

I acknowledge China has done much to pull millions out of poverty and that we must try to maintain mutually beneficial trade relations with our northern giant. Equally, I detest its totalitarian ethic. It is manifest in allowing Xi Jinping to be president for life, its squashing of democracy in Hong Kong and its penchant to either bribe or bully regional neighbours. The “query” Beijing alleges about our dumping wine in China has no substance, as Scott Morrison has cogently argued. Rather than provoke China further — so easily done — the PM is right to be diplomatic in response while standing firmly by our democratic principles.

Ron Sinclair, Bathurst, NSW

Border skirmishes

The closure of state borders is, as Paul Kelly reflects, protectionism writ large (“Fortress states locking out the national interest”, 19/8). In Western Australia, our Premier is on an electoral winner with his advice our border could remain closed until mid-2021. His representative, my local MLA, emailed constituents on July 7 thanking us for our efforts and advising those in business they are “front of mind as we carefully move toward a more open economy”. He invited contact if we required assistance, so I responded immediately suggesting real leadership would see the borders opened to alleviate the impact on tourism and hospitality and on families separated by state borders. I’m still waiting for a response.

John Quilty, Port Kennedy, WA

Quarantine reversal

Epidemics such as flu, measles or meningococcal disease were commonplace in the past and quarantine in isolated, low-rise, pavilion-style buildings was the way epidemics were managed. Separation of people in open spaces out of town centres were important principles of quarantine.

We have experimented with quarantine at poorly ventilated high-rise hotels in densely populated areas. High-rise hotels are efficient hospitality sites but would appear to be poor quarantine areas.

Alan Woodward, South Melbourne, Vic

I read with interest the apology offered by the NSW Premier to the victims of the Ruby Princess crisis that “sorry, no one’s to blame” and no one is to be held accountable. I remember well during the 1990s a plan was clearly mapped out for responsibility and accountability with specific guidelines. It appears this has all been washed aside based on the mantra of saying “oops, sorry” and then “staying put” as part of a means of continuing in power and non-performance. This stance has been perfected by Daniel Andrews.

Graeme Pitcher, Ormond, Vic

Qualities of Kamala

Han Yang misses the point with his criticism of Jacinta Price’s pointing out how Biden chose his running mate (Last Post, 19/8). If Biden selected Kamala Harris because of her “stellar career” qualifications, he would have talked about those qualities. Instead, he relied on identity politics by referencing little “black and brown girls”, presumably at the exception of all other girls. Harris may well be qualified to be his running mate, so why not say that? Martin Luther King must be rolling in his grave.

Andrew Taylor, Waterloo, NSW

Han Yang praises Kamala Harris’s stellar political achievements and her choice as Biden’s running mate. However, she is a “cancel culture” type and American voters need to be wary.

As attorney-general of California, Harris misused her authority to attack the First Amendment rights of climate sceptics and other “deplorables”. So, when it comes to climate policy and the science thereof, one must be compliant, be silent or be punished. Free speech be damned.

Anthony Anderson, Templestowe Lower, Vic