Former Australian Defense Minister: Beware of China's Encirclement; Appeasement Will Not Bring Peace

Former Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds warned in an op-ed on the 27th that China has been building dual-use infrastructure to the west of Australia for the past 20 years, forming an encirclement. Reynolds criticized Australia for its unawareness and policy of appeasement in the face of China's strategic patience and clear objectives. She pointed out that China is forming an 'authoritarian-industrial complex' in collaboration with Russia, Iran, and others. Noting that 99% of Australia's trade passes through straits now under Chinese threat, she strongly urged increasing defense spending to at least 3% of GDP, the rapid implementation of AUKUS, and the development of mass production capabilities for drones and missiles.