TALKING TOUGH: Defence White Paper 2009
by Ross Cottrill
Ross Cottrill, currently a Visiting Fellow at the Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, ANU, unpacks, with reference to China, the latest Defence White Paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030. He notes that “In the case of the messages conveyed by the latest Defence White Paper, there have been complaints from China, and a leading specialist on China has suggested that the paper may have contributed to recent Chinese aggressive behaviour regarding the resources industry.” It may not be a new idea to speak softly to one’s neighbours, he suggests, but it’s good policy.Media Coverage: "Spruiking a China threat is foolish", Ross Cottrill, The Australian Financial Review, Tuesday 21 July 2009, Opinion, p.63. [pdf, 288kb]
Download this essay