中國軍艦終於駛進離雪梨150海哩的範圍並進行實彈演習。這樣的軍事活動並沒有違反國際規則, 但在事前中國沒有知會澳洲政府, 體現了中國認為她作為大國在這地區的軍事存在。對澳洲政府來說, 這是一個警號。二次大戰後這地區只有與澳洲結盟國家的軍事存在, 現在受到挑戰了。

澳洲政府沒有說明從那一處開始, 中國的戰艦開始受到澳洲軍事監察,這亦不表示澳洲安全受到威脅, 但中國已明確宣示了她的軍事力量會伸展到澳洲附近海域。 這正是中國政府盼望澳洲攻府知道、明白、並且接受的事實。

2021年9月澳洲、英國與美國簽訂AUKUS後,一直有一些包括前工黨總理基廷者的批評, 表示澳、英、美三國的軍事合作只會令澳洲成為中美大國角力在這地區的美國的前哨。不過, 從特朗普當選及就任總統後放棄保護歐洲盟國的政策, 已有不少人懷疑美國會否寧願與中國共享世界霸權而放棄在太平洋圍堵中國的政策。若然出現這些轉變的話, 澳洲的軍事防衛策略, 是否也會有所調整呢?

去年澳洲發表《國家防衛策略》(National Defence Strategy)提出了國家防衛包括了政府各部門及全國協調的方向, 結合各面力量來保衛澳洲及她的利益。我相信對於從不同國家移民來到澳洲定居的移民, 特別是來自中國的移民, 這是一個極大的挑戰。

離澳洲稍接近的國家, 除了印尼人口眾多外, 沒有很多國家的軍事力量被視為對澳洲安全會構成威脅。除了在30年前, 由於印尼與東帝汶的戰爭, 澳洲有一段時間與印尼關係稍為緊張外, 大部份時間, 澳洲與鄰國一直保持極友好關係。生活在澳洲的多元文化移民, 很少會感覺原居國家與澳洲會有衝突的可能性。

若然有一天中國被視為對澳洲安全產生威協的國家, 華裔澳洲人該如何自處, 這可能是華人社區要去思考的問題。在中國經濟起飛的時候, 不少華裔澳洲人就算是來自中國以外國家, 都會積極把握商機, 推動澳洲與中國之間貿易。但若中澳關係出現緊張情況下, 我們又能作甚麼呢, 這也是值得我們細想的。

周偉文, 社長

National Security of Australia

The Chinese warships have finally sailed into a range 150 nautical miles from Sydney and conducted live-fire drills. While such military activities do not violate international rules, the fact that the Australian government was not informed in advance spells China’s stance of its military presence as a major power in the region. For the Australian government, this is a warning sign. After World War II, only allied countries of Australia have had a military presence in this region, but now that is being challenged.

The Australian government has not clarified when Chinese warships would start being monitored by the Australian military. This does not pose a threat to Australia’s security, but China has clearly declared that its military power will extend to the waters near Australia. This is exactly what the Chinese government hopes the Australian government should know, understand, and accept.

Since the signing of AUKUS between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States in September 2021, there has been some criticism, including from former Labor Prime Minister Keating, who argued that the military cooperation between Australia, the UK, and the US would only make Australia a upfront base for the United States in its power struggle with China in the region. However, after Trump was elected and took office, he has been abandoning the policy used to be with European allies, many have questioned whether the United States would prefer to share world hegemony with China thus let go its policy of containing China in the Pacific. If such a shift occurs, will Australia also need to adjust its military defence strategy?

Last year, Australia published the National Defence Strategy which outlined the direction for national defence, emphasizing the coordination of government departments and the nation as a whole, combining various strength and power to protect Australia’s interests. I believe this presents a significant challenge for immigrants who have come to Australia from different countries, particularly those from China.

Among countries near Australia, besides Indonesia with its large population, there are not many whose military power is seen as a threat to Australia’s security. Thirty years ago, due to the war between Indonesia and East Timor, Australia’s relationship with Indonesia was somewhat tense for a while. However, for most of the time, Australia has maintained very friendly relations with its neighbouring countries. Immigrants from diverse cultures living in Australia rarely feel there is conflict of interests between their home countries and Australia.

If one day China is seen as a country that poses a security threat to Australia, how should Chinese-Australians navigate this situation? This may be a question that the Chinese community needs to think deep. During China’s economic rise, many Chinese-Australians, even those from countries outside of China, actively seized business opportunities and promoted trade between Australia and China. But if tensions arise in the China-Australia relationship, what can we do? This is something worth reflecting on.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher