China’s using Australia as a ‘proxy punching bag’ for the US

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China’s using Australia as a ‘proxy punching bag’ for the US: John Howard
04/03/2021|14min

Former prime minister John Howard has told Sky News communist China is using Australia as a “proxy punching bag” for the United States.

Mr Howard said China has changed its approach to cooperation with global partners since he left office in 2007 which is evident in the “challenge” Beijing current poses for Canberra.

“I don’t think Australia has mucked up the relationship with China,” he said.

“I think China has decided to be more aggressive”.

The former prime minister said Australia has to handle the issue with China “patiently” as the bilateral trading relationship is critically important.

“We have a lot at stake, we have a great relationship with China,” he said.

“It will hurt our country; it will affect our living standards if there’s a catastrophic fall in the export trade to china because it’s out best export destination".

Mr Howard also commented on China's influence in Australia and the rest of the world.

"There's no doubt that the Chinese state or the authority, are happy to use the Chinese diaspora around the world to promote the interests of China now."