We need to rethink China relationship

Views from around the world. These opinions are not necessarily shared by Stuff newspapers.

Even before this pandemic, Australia’s relationship with

China was anything but straightforward. As China’s weight has grown, it has asserted itself much more. Australia’s task is to engage productively with China, to manage differences while standing up for our values, sovereignty and democracy. This has become more challenging as a result of Covid-19.

Successive disinformation efforts by China have attempted to obscure the virus’ origin and discredit other countries’ responses. This has done little to engender trust. Humanity deserves better than a propaganda push – and credibility depends on doing better. Australia must take an active role

in rallying international support for transparency and improving the international institutions on which we rely. Now is not the time for countries to suggest they may walk away from organisations such as the WHO right when the world most needs a credible body co-ordinating the global response to the biggest pandemic in a century.

As the world grapples with this crisis, it will not look kindly upon any country that sought to take advantage of it for its own interests. Power alone does not confer legitimacy. Australia must emphasise that now is the time for all countries to work together, rather than press differences to gain strategic advantages.