Arthur Gatland

The 60 Minutes programme on the AUKUS alliance and the likelihood of war with China was an appalling show of US/Australia's anti-China propaganda. It pretended to be balanced but actually portrayed a number of falsehoods. These include the alleged Uyghur "one million" in prison (complete fabrication by ASPI and the CIA/NED). You mentioned the source of Covid-19 and showed a quick shot of an animal wet market, which was intentionally misleading - Covid was found in Spain (water samples from Mar 19), Italy's 14 provinces from Sept 19 (blood tests), USA, France from Nov/Dec 19 before it was discovered in Wuhan on 26 Dec 19, and WHO and USA advised within days. Some suggest it may have originated in US Fort Detrick labs but unproven, and USA refuses to allow an investigation of course. Every country in the world, and the UN, recognises that China and Taiwan is one country, albeit two systems. China has no plans to "invade" but to join peacefully in due course. ASEAN countries and China agreed (2002 and 2016) to solve their Sth China Sea territorial disputes peacefully, and agreed that other countries should keep out (Paracel and Spratly Islands were returned to China after WW2 with USA's support, since then Vietnam and Philippines have occupied a number). I'm sure you know that Australia Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) pretends to be an independent think tank, but is actually funded by the Australian Department of Defence, USA State Dept, British Foreign Office, and a number of military industry groups such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Saab Technologies, NAVAL Group, Thales, Raytheon Australia. Some military groups have already benefited as a result. In October 2020, Australia’s Prime Minister announced an increased $270 billion Defence Budget over the next 10 years, including $800 million for Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM), in response to the “threat from China” (which they created). The LRSAMs are manufactured by Lockheed-Martin, one of ASPI’s weapons industry sponsors - their sponsorship paid off. ASPI CREATES tension to sell weapons for its sponsors. As a result of this order, ASPI collected $214,500 as a “management advisory fee” on top of a similar payment of $614,536 a year ago. Lockheed Martin reportedly paid ASPI $135,500 sponsorship fee in 2018-19. No conflict of interest …….is there?? So much for ASPI being independent and objective. China is no threat, it has not had any wars since 1970s, during which time USA has never stopped invading other countries (1 million dead, 37 million displaced in the War on Terror.) USA has 12 supercarrier groups, China has 1 old refitted Soviet aircraft carrier and 1 slightly larger copy. USA has 69 nuclear subs, China has 6 (plus a number of diesel subs). USA has 1,700 deployed nuclear weapons, and 2,000 in reserve. China has 350 non-deployed, in storage. USA has 800 military bases surrounding China. Who is the threat? Australia is shooting itself in the foot by supporting USA's propaganda, and it will destroy Australia's economy, trade, not to mention its loss of respect around the world. Australia is creating a threat from China to "protect trade routes" with.....China. The warmongering has a big risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. 60 Minutes - please re-assess your integrity and research the truth, and not give ASPI a voice to help create war.