Former defence intelligence analyst Paul Monk says as long as the Communist Party rules China and seeks to silence criticism, there is “no way” it will displace Japan, the United States and India in its affinity with Australia.
He said he thinks China wants a “stable economic relationship”.
“For China to outbid Japan in terms of our trust is a big ask,” he told Sky News host James Morrow.
“And the performance of Xiao Qian today is only a modest step in that direction.”
