Do what we think’s right

New Zealand is in a ‘‘no win’’ position economically in dealing with China’s ambitions. Our future in dealing with a customer of this relative magnitude is all in the hands of the ‘‘other party’’.

We should therefore revert to first principles and do what we believe to be ethically and morally right. Appeasement policies when dealing with belligerent nations just don’t work – history has shown that.

It is somewhat galling to have to side with our so-called mates from across the Tasman but we have no long-term alternative.

The ‘‘Five Eyes’’ are somewhat crosseyed with a woolly-headed UK, internally conflicted US, self-centred Aussie and apathetic Canada, all of whom are bigger guns than us, representing the devil we know, versus China, with whom we have a large trading arrangement, existing – despite what politicians may claim – entirely at China’s discretion.

No contest. Stick with the people who, however accented, talk the same language as us.

Richard Lawrence, Carterton