China is not a friend

of Downunder. Why would it be? It has no reason to be. China knows it can simply walk in and take over our entire economy at any point it likes.

No, I am not trying to be controversial. I am simply being realistic. We do their bidding or they take over. They need our mineral and agricultural resources and they will simply take them if we do not do as they want. 

I said this to someone yesterday as we were waiting in a queue. He is someone I have known for some years. I know his politics are what might be termed "far left". He is a firm believer in "we are part of the Asian region" and our relationship with China. The idea that it might be a relationship of convenience does not appeal to him at all.

His reaction was swift and he spent time trying to convince me I was wrong. China is a great friend. Our economy would collapse if we could not sell to China. Other countries are only too ready to step in if we do not keep to our side of the bargain. They are supporting the all important moves towards "net-Zero" and more. It was the previous Prime Minister who did so much harm by questioning where Covid19 had come from and nobody really believes it came from China. 

People around us could hear this man talking. He was getting rather agitated even though I had simply quietly answered his question about our "friendship" with China. I had not said anything more. My turn came and he tried to keep lecturing me. I was beginning to wish I had not even answered him. 

I tried moving on with the groceries I had bought because a friend is coming for lunch today. He followed me out to where the trike was parked and had his hand on the handlebars to try and prevent me leaving until he had finished what he wanted to say. I knew I was safe enough because there were plenty of other people around, some of whom I know. 

Help came from an entirely unexpected source. A friend of his. someone I know and thought shared his views, appeared. He turned to them and spluttered out what I had said, demanded that his own views be supported. The other man looked at him and then at me and said, "Actually I think Cat may be more correct than you are.  Have you placed a bet on the race yet?"

I know he was referring to the Melbourne Cup - a horse race which seems to cause a lot of interest and far too much betting. My harasser was diverted and they went off together. I saw the other man again about twenty minutes ago. He gave me a wave and called out, "He lost his bet."

I think he would lose a bet on China being a friend too. Is there a growing awareness we need to start making friends elsewhere too? I hope so.