“There are many lessons from our experience,” Morrison said. “Above all, I would highlight the need to never become casual about the potential threat, and to remain vigilant.
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“Discussion is fine, engagement is good, it’s better than the alternative. But if we think that is going to produce a change in the mindset in Beijing about what the objectives are, then we’re frankly kidding ourselves.”
Morrison gave the Albanese government no credit for improving relations, arguing instead that Beijing took advantage of the change in government in 2022 to reset its failing coercive tactics.
“This included abandoning their economic and diplomatic bullying for more inductive engagement, laced with charm and flattery,” he told the hearing.
Australia’s relations with China have thawed under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Beijing has ended its trade bans. Albanese just returned from a six-day visit that included a meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Morrison told reporters that the relationship with China – Australia’s largest trading partner – deteriorated on his watch “because of the actions of China, not the actions of Australia”.
“You don’t thank someone for stopping punching you in the face,” he said.
The former prime minister warned lawmakers that standing up to the CCP came at an economic cost.
He said he was encouraged by letters he had received from Australian farmers hit by China’s trade bans – on products such as barley, beef and wine – who told him he was doing the right thing, despite the hurt.
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“If you’re going to stand up here, you’ve got to be prepared to take a few hits in the process,” he said. “But you’re much more able to do that if you can take hits with your mates, and your mates have got to show up as well.”
It is rare for former government leaders to provide evidence to a congressional inquiry. Morrison said he was appearing in a personal capacity.
Since leaving office, he has joined defence advisory firm American Global Strategies as non-executive vice chairman, and he chairs the advisory board of Space Centre Australia.
