From the Readers

Can the dragon and kangaroo fly together?

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-05-18 11:51

Comment on"How dragon and kangaroo can fly together" (China Daily, May 11)

In fables, a dragon is able to fly, and a kangaroo can only hop on the ground. So how can they fly together?

In reality, China is now a country hungry for raw materials and oil to fuel its growing industries. This hunger seems insatiable, and that is a good sign as it means continued development and growth for China and indirectly for the world.

During the past decade, Australia has been riding on the back of China's hunger for raw materials and growth. Australia was not badly affected by the economic downturn experienced by the USA and Europe and many other parts of the world.

So it should be in Australia's interests to see China continue to grow. But Australia seems to be of two minds. One is that it needs to live up to its Anglo roots, i.e., having similar foreign policies as its British and American counterparts; and the other is because of Australia's location, it has to deal with its Asian neighbors and China, and of course this is very important to Australia's well-being.

So it is not a surprise to see Australia speak the same language as the British or the Americans when dealing with China. For instance, Britain and Western diplomats protested and questioned China's handling of the British drug trafficker. Similarly, Australia made premature comments on the Rio Tinto trial.

Mother Nature actually wanted the Australian continent to be a part of Asia, but history changed the course of things. The British sent convicts to Australia and gradually took over the country from the Aboriginal people. So how is Asia going to accommodate this White-ruled country? Its mentality，its attitude of superiority and dominance can be seen by past events in the region.

In all reality, it is not just the case of Asians not accommodating and trusting the Australians; the Australians also have suspicions about the Asians, as seen by their comments.

Australia and New Zealand are White-ruled countries among the Western countries. Both are too far away from their cousins in Britain. Asia is seeking to establish an Asian community. Should this be extended to the Aussies and the Kiwis? Do they want to be included? Would it be wise?

So long as Australia keeps its deputy sheriff image and don't do away with its Western ideology and policies of acting superior to others, the prospect of the Dragon and Kangaroo flying together will remain only superficial. There may be praises, nice comments, good deals and others, but behind all that lie mistrust and suspicion.

The countries must work seriously to get rid of the negatives and strengthen the positives to be able to fly together. Can it be done?

HsunTze on China Daily website.