Turnbull talks up China ties

Foreign policy white paper

CHINA’S rise should be seen as an opportunity, not a risk, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said yesterday

The first foreign policy white paper since 2003 was launched by Mr Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade Minister Steve Ciobo in Canberra.

While the previous effort was drafted after the Bali and September 11 attacks, the latest blueprint comes in the context of an “America first” US president, a historic military build-up and economic expansion in Asia, the reshaping of Europe via Brexit and the continuing threat of Islamist terrorism.

“This is the first time in our history that our dominant trading partner is not also our dominant security partner. We must see this as an opportunity not as a risk,” Mr Turnbull said.

He said the white paper pre- sented a “framework for facing the challenges of an uncertain future with confidence”, while issuing a warning to nations inclined to use their military muscle in the region.

“We will never agree that ‘might is right’,” he said.

The Government’s policy will focus on the Indo-Pacific region while strengthening and building ties with nations in other regions. The paper sets out five objectives: PROMOTING an open, inclusive and prosperous IndoPacific region in which the rights of all states are respected; STANDING against protectionism and promoting business; ENSURING Australians are safe, secure and free in the face of threats such as terrorism; PROMOTING and protecting international rules; and, GREATER support for the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

China is challenging the US’s position as the dominant power, the paper says.

While the US alliance will remain central to Australia’s approach to the region, the Government is “committed to strong and constructive ties with China”.

On North Korea, it urges the “strongest possible economic and other pressure” to stop its “dangerous behaviour”.

“North Korea’s actions underline the importance of the US’s extended deterrence to Australia’s security and the security of the Republic of Korea and Japan,” it said.

The threat from Islamist terrorism, cyber attacks and transnational crime “could worsen”, the paper warns, and more work will be needed to strengthen counter-terrorism co-operation in Southeast Asia as foreign fighters return from Iraq and Syria.